During the plenary session (3-4 April 2019) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the common rules for the internal market for natural gas.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

energy efficiency (T)

energy union (T)

Common rules for the internal market for natural gas: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), rapporteur , We're talking about various issues including non-discriminatory tariffs. This is guaranteed by the new directive. And it is an end to a monopoly in the European gas market.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), rapporteur , Now comes the time of implementation this will depend on the commission and in the European Court of Justice. The parliament will supervise and watch how European law will be implementing. We will not agree to any pipeline that will be against our energy security.

SOUNDBITE (English), Miguel ARIAS CA&#209;ETE, Member of the EC in charge of Climate Action and Energy, With the amended gas directive we will be in a position to ensure that the European Union energy legislation will apply to all pipelines connecting the European Union market with 3rd  countries. No such pipeline should be operated in a legal void or only according to the rules whatever country. This is important for European energy security,  for Europen sovereignty and for European solidarity.

SOUNDBITE (German), Werner LANGEN (EPP, DE), We have gas in all formations from the UK, Russia, Norway, from all over the world and so the market is working well. So the question of why the gas directive was changed can be answered with one word: Nord Stream 2. Let's not disguise this. And I have to say that the compromise that has been arrived at is acceptable.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Zdzis&#322;aw KRASNOD&#280;BSKI (ECR, PL), We also want it that a entire sea section of the pipeline was subject to EU law. Of course it is has to do with Nord Stream,  which is controversial. We just heard that a separate company will be established for the territorial waters and therefore the role of the Commission will be so important.

SOUNDBITE (English), Morten Helveg PETERSEN (ALDE, DK), It means that Gazprom and Putin will have to play by key rules and specific rules in Europe, because otherwise Putin can just exploit a legal void to strengthen and reinforce our dependence on Russian gas and that's not something we can accept.

SOUNDBITE (German), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), My group categorically welcomes that the entire gas infrastructure from third countries be it old or new shall in future all be applicable to.

SOUNDBITE (German), Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), We make this call too on the German government to comply with these common rules.