The analyst assessed the situation around the "North stream — 2"
The European Union has nothing to respond to US threats to impose sanctions against companies involved in the construction of the pipeline "Nord stream 2", Brussels desired common position towards Russia, said RIA Novosti the scientific coordinator of the Center for Eurasian studies, University of Vienna, scientific Director of the Institute for security policy, Alexander Dubovy.
Previously, the need "political response" to the threat of Washington sanctions against these companies, said the head of the Austrian OMV oil and gas Corporation Dr. Rainer Seele.
According to the analyst, the US is pursuing its own interests and its own particular strategy for energy security in Europe, and the European Union has a clear vision of their common interests there: in the EU, particularly the French - and German-speaking environment, often there are discussions about the so-called strategic autonomy, but further conversations business does not go and for a very long time will not come.
"Unless there is clear political will from the EU, understanding in which direction the EU will move in the future, as it needs to build relationships with key partners and neighbors should look like the EU's policy towards Russia in the energy sector - while it will not be difficult to talk about what could the EU do. At the moment, in fact, not too much, not to say anything. You can wait out the election in the US, but I don't think the situation will change: if will come to power Democrats, U.S. policy towards the EU will not change, only the rhetoric is softer," - said Dubovi.
In his opinion, the European Union is in a difficult situation. On the one hand, it aims to protect the interests of the Central state and Central companies, which are involved in the project "Northern stream 2", you must also consider the long-term interests in the energy sector of the European Union, and this bringing to life of the "Nord stream 2" is necessary. The EU should take into account the interests of Eastern European member States of the EU, because they see Russia as the main threat to their interests.
"Besides, you need to be extremely careful not to cause public damage to relations with the US, despite pressure from Washington. This task is very difficult, and how to solve it - I think the EU at the moment clearly do not understand.
Ultimately decisive is the position of Germany. If Berlin thinks that the "North stream 2" - in his unconditional long-term interests, I think that the project will be completed," - said the expert.
The expert noted that for Germany the situation is also complex: if it is hard to promote their own interests to the detriment of the position of the Eastern European EU member States, it is sure to backfire, and in the very near future.
"Now we need the EU to try to maintain diplomatic negotiations on the question of the "Nord stream 2", to aggravate, not to cause further harm to relations with the US, because it better not be", - concluded the Agency interlocutor.
"Nord stream 2" involves the construction of two pipelines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas off the coast of Russia through the Baltic sea to Germany. Against the project actively advocate USA, in the EU promoting its liquefied natural gas, as well as Ukraine and several European countries.