"I would like to emphasize that the EU is still open to Russian gas, and in the future, we want to see Russia as a reliable gas supplier. But we also want the transit of Russian gas to comply with our diversification strategy, and for Russian suppliers to comply with our rules on competition and energy market rules along with the rest," Usackas said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
Germany's national competition regulator, the Federal Cartel Office, has approved the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. The pipeline could provide up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas to Germany. Some EU member states, such as Poland and the Czech Republic among others, have voiced opposition to the northern gas pipeline over fears of increased energy dependence on Russia.
The Nord Stream 2 project must fully comply with EU legislation, Usackas said, adding that the European Commission will grant support only to projects conforming to European Energy Union aims in the area of energy security, which implies the diversification of sources, routes and partners.
Another gas pipeline project, South Stream, which was due to transport Russian gas to Southern Europe, was suspended at the request of the Commission in June 2014 as it was deemed non-compliant with the European Union's third energy package. Russian President Vladimir Putin officially canceled the project in December 2014.
