The Nord Stream II natural gas project between Russia and Germany poses a threat to European energy security, the U.S. Secretary of State said on Saturday.
During his visit to Poland, Rex Tillerson said that, similar to Poland, the U.S. opposes the Nord Stream II pipeline project.
'We see it as undermining Europe’s overall energy security and stability,' he said.
He stated that the mutual strategic interests of both countries are the driving force for opposition to the project.
The pipeline is expected to run from the coast of Russia via the Baltic Sea to Germany, acting as a direct link between Russian reserves and European consumers.
The planned 1,220-kilometer pipeline will be able to transport a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year.
- Denmark's opposition
Denmark passed a law at the end of November to permit the Danish foreign minister to ban Russia's Nord Stream II natural gas pipeline from traversing its waters.
The bill allowed foreign, security and defense policies to be considered as an argument in support of the ban when Denmark decided that energy companies are allowed to disconnect power cables and pipelines in Danish territorial waters.
In effect, the latest decision will permit the Danish government to decide whether Gazprom's Nord Stream II should be allowed through Danish waters.
In addition to the obstacles from Denmark, the EC's new draft law proposed on Nov. 8 stipulates that EU third party access or anti-monopoly legislation applies to offshore pipeline segments in EU territory.
The project also faces resistance from Lithuania as well as Poland and Denmark.
The entry point of the Nord Stream II gas pipeline into the Baltic Sea will be Ust-Luga in the Leningrad Oblast in Russia from where the pipeline will stretch across the Baltic Sea to Germany.
The line's route passes through the Danish island of Bornholm, between Sweden and Poland.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr