May 26, 2012
EU Vows Tough Scrutiny of Baltic Gas Pipeline.
Jan 29, 2008
The European Commission vowed on Tuesday to study thoroughly whether a planned gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea meets strict environmental rules, responding to concerns of some countries in the region.
The Nord Stream pipeline, due to link Russia and Germany and involving Gazprom, E.ON and BASF, has sparked protests in countries such as Poland, Lithuania and Estonia, which say it will damage the environment.
"It is not out of line to believe that the goal of spending such a large sum may be designed to exercise political influence over its neighbours," said Keith Smith, senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank.
Russia and Germany deny any such allegation.
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Keith C. Smith