Activities of Vural ÖGER related to 2007/2118(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Environmental impact of the planned gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea to link up Russia and Germany (debate)
Amendments (25)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph – 1a (new)
Paragraph – 1a (new)
-1 a. Underlines the importance of a thorough and objective environmental impact assessment of Nord Stream, particularly given the fragility of the Baltic seabed; is of the opinion that full account should be taken of all relevant environmental and safety aspects in the preparation, construction and operational phases of any gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea; emphasises that a final judgment of the environmental effects of Nord Stream can only be made after the completion of the impact assessment, and welcomes the Commission’s commitment to monitor closely all developments concerning the environmental impact assessment within the framework of the Espoo Convention;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that Nord Stream is an infrastructure project with a wide political and strategic dimension for both the EU and Russia; underlines that it is primarily driven by Russian commercial and political interests, aimed at delivering gas straight from Russia to Western Europe, bypassing the transit states; underlines that this project increases Russia's energy leverage over the EU and its neighbours and decreasestakes due note of the concerns expressed by the Baltic littoral states regarding the construction and maintenance of the pipeline; underlines that the ability of small littoral states to act as security providers in the Baltic Sea region; considers that since the project goes against the priorities of several EU Member States, itannot be seen in isolation from the EU's ability to act as a unified entity and speak with one voice on energy issues and recalls its resolution of 26 September 2007 on a common European foreign policy on energy1; undermlines the EU's ability to act as a unified entity and speak with one voat the project has been labelled a project of European interest in the latest guidelines on Trans-European Energy Networks (TENE-E), adopted in September 2006, and that it should be planned in the spirit of the common European foreign policey on energy issues; 1; Or. en Texts adopted, P6_TA(2007)0413.
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Reiterates the importance of the EU's energy partnership with Russia and draws attention once again to the fact that this strategic partnership can only be based on the principle of non-discrimination and fair treatment and on equal market access conditions;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Considers that aspects of energy solidarity within the European Union should be taken into account by all Member States in their decisions on energy infrastructure projects; underscores that European energy solidarity critically depends on both transparent and mutually enforceable agreements with producer countries and the existence of a functioning internal energy market, as well as an interconnecting energy infrastructure;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Calls on the Council and the Commission to address environmental issues and energy security concerns within the framework of the EU’s energy dialogue with Russia; recalls its opinion that the principles and substance of the Energy Charter Treaty and the Transit Protocol thereto must be included in cooperation agreements with third countries, including the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Therefore asks the Commission and the Member States to put forward the following demands and to call for: - a thorough assessment of: - to assess the various transparency, economic and, budget-related, regulatory and legal aspects of the Nord Stream and its affiliated companies; - a thorough legal assessment aimed at determining whether a broader set of legal framework is applicable; - a thorough assessment of the need for the project and consideration of all alternatives, including the Amber and Yamal II pipelines; - a truly independentproject; - to undertake a study of Nord Stream’s contribution to Europe’s energy needs, including a consideration of all alternatives; - to ensure that the concerns of all littoral states are duly taken into account in the environmental impact assessment,; - to be commissioned with the approval of all littoral States; - Rreiterate its call for the ratification of, and commitment to the full implementation of the provisions of, the Espoo Convention and the Energy Charter Treaty, including its Transit Protocol, as an act of good faith and to encourage the Russian Federation's confidence in the project; - opportunities for equal participation by all the littoral Statesby Russia;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Suggests, further, that the permission for the construction and maintenance of the pipeline should be managedUnderlines the importance of open and transparent communication on all relevant environmental, security and safety aspects by anthe Executive Board nominated by all the littoral states with the participation, where appropriate, of the Commissionof Nord Stream with all littoral states at all times;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital AA
Recital AA
AA. whereas pursuant to the Espoo Convention every project of this kind should be preceded by an analysis of its alternatives, including in particular implementation costs and environmental safety, in this case an analysis of overland routes for the gas pipeline,
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the lack of institutional structures capable of responding adequately to the environmental and geopolitical security issues associated with this projecte development of external energy infrastructure, and once again calls on the Council to consider the proposal for the creation of the office of High Official for Foreign Energy Policy, who, wearing a "double hat", would act under the authority of the newly created strengthened High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a Vice-President of the Commission;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Expresses its resolute opposition to regarding large-scale transboundaryTakes note of the opposition expressed by certain Member States to the pipeline projects planned for the Baltic Sea area, which is a common asset of the states bordering the Baltic Sea, not as matters of bilateral relations between states;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses its conviction that energy projects of this kindinvolving EU Member States and third countries should be subjects of common European interest and concern for the whole European Union and its citizens;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines that the project has been designated a project of European interest in the latest guidelines on Trans- European Energy Networks (TENE-E) adopted in September 2006, and that it should be planned in the spirit of the common European foreign policy on energy;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines that the project has been designated a project of European interest in the latest guidelines on Trans- European Energy Networks (TENE-E) adopted in September 2006, and that it should be planned in the spirit of the common European foreign policy on energy; Or.
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. RegretsWould welcome a decision of the Commission’s failure to accept the proposal contained in Parliament’s resolution of 16 November 2006 concerning the preparation of environmental impact assessments of proposed projects by the Commission, while reiterating its call for the preparation of such an assessment;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Expresses profound concern at the reports that before commissioning the gas pipeline the investor intends to use a highly toxic compound known as glutaric aldehyde, which it is then planning to release into the Baltic,; underlines that any action that would result in a major environmental disaster with irreversible consequences; simultaneously calls on the Commission and the Council to take immediate action to prevent this scenario from taking placehould be avoided;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises that the construction and operation of the Gas Pipeline on the Baltic seabed willmay threaten many species of fish and birds as well as the existence of a population of porpoises numbering only 600, which are a species unique to this geographical region;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that alternative gas pipeline routes, which do not disturb the marine environment, should be analysed first, and notes that it is possible to run such rouPoints out that all energy projects which have been designated projects of European interest in the TENE-E guidelines, including the North European gas pipeline (Nord Stream pipeline), the Yamal II project promoted by Poland and the Amber project, should be regarded as possible complementary energy projects designed to respond to the growing demand for European energy supply and should not be seen as alternative gas pipeline routes; notes tohat the Russian border overland, solely through European Union Member StatesCommission has not expressed any preference for one project over the other in this context;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a.Points out the importance of conducting a transparent communication strategy on steps concerning the results of the environmental impact assessment, and of communicating those results actively to all EU Member States, especially the Baltic littoral states;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Expresses its beliefNotes that routing the North European gas pipeline through EU territory would enable it toshould meet the strategic and economic objectives set out in Decision 1364/2006/EC whilst avoiding extensive environmental damage;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Considers that it is of the utmost importance to avoid any unnecessary instrumentalisation of the environmental and security issues; reminds all Member States and governments to refrain from any unnecessary polarisation of its citizens and to underline that the project was designated a project of European interest in the TEN-E guidelines adopted in September 2006 by Parliament and by the Council;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Council and Commission to use every legal means at their disposal to prevent the construction of the North European gas pipeline on the scale proposed by the investor if the environmental impact assessment concludes that the environmental and security concerns of littoral Baltic States are justified;