The Nordic countries on Nord Stream 2: between scepticism and neutrality. OSW COMMENTARY NUMBER 223 | 12.10.2016

Gotkowska, Justyna and Szymański, Piotr (2016) The Nordic countries on Nord Stream 2: between scepticism and neutrality. OSW COMMENTARY NUMBER 223 | 12.10.2016. [Policy Paper]

PDF - Published Version Download (206Kb)

Abstract

Sweden, Finland and Denmark have seen a revival of the debate on the Nord Stream 2 project in recent months. As the planned gas pipeline will run through these countries’ exclusive economic zones and/or territorial waters, the governments in Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen will have to take a decision on NS2 construction soon. They find themselves in a difficult situation. On one hand, the Russian-Ukrainian war and the deteriorating security situation in the Baltic Sea region have resulted in more distance towards Russian economic projects in these countries. All of them have also come under increasing pressure from the United States, the CEE countries, and domestic opposition parties, which have been demanding the project’s suspension. On the other hand, neither Stockholm, Helsinki nor Copenhagen wants to use their national laws or the Law of the Sea to block Nord Stream 2, which enjoys support from Germany.

Actions (login required)