EU backs rules that may stall Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline
Divided bloc nations agree to tighter regulations after German opposition to the draft rules halts discussions since 2017
Brussels — EU nations backed a plan to regulate Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline on Friday, a move that will likely slow but not rule out its construction. The long-stalled agreement comes after a last-ditch German and French push to amend the draft and give Berlin a greater say in how to ensure the pipeline to carry Russian gas to Europe under the Baltic Sea complies with EU law. Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed the vote as an example of Berlin’s close ties with Paris after the two major European powers, which both have firms invested in the project, were publicly at odds ahead of the EU meeting. Nord Stream 2 has divided the EU, with German opposition to the new draft rules stalling discussions since it was proposed by the EU executive in November 2017.
Eastern European, Nordic and Baltic Sea countries see the 1,225km pipeline, which is already under construction, as increasing EU reliance on Moscow, while those in northern Europe, especially Germany, prioritise the economic b...
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