Barroso Praises Nord Steam as "European Project"

Addressing a meeting of Prime Ministers of the Baltic Sea countries in Stralsund, Northern Germany, European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso praised the Nord Stream gas pipeline, as a “a truly European project, ” by which all participants in the project benefit by its implementation.

At the summit organized by the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Barroso pointing to the pipeline project as an example of successful cooperation in the Baltic region.

He viewed the possible expansion of the pipeline, which carries Siberian gas from Russia to Germany, as favorable development.

The European Commission president said the EU interested in further developing its partnership with Russia, on a basis of transparency and on environmental and competition rules being observed.

Russia has been pressing for the proposed South Stream gas pipeline to receive status as a project of European interest, as was accorded to Nord Stream.

To date the EU has stated that such preferential status, which would entitle South Stream to EU financial assistance as well and inclusion in the Trans-European energy networks (TEN-E) list, will not be granted.