Getting pumped up over gas pipeline
The popular center-right Civic Platform (PO) has slammed proposals to construct an undersea gas pipeline to carry Russian gas to Germany, claiming it would hit Poland's energy interests and should be abandoned.
Polish officials have also voiced concern over plans to build the pipeline under the Baltic Sea, effectively bypassing Poland.
With backing from Berlin and Moscow, German BASF and Russian Gazprom agreed to invest in the undersea route - an alternative to expanding a recently built pipeline already running through Poland.
"The deal is not yet finalized and we will certainly try to block it," said Bronisław Komorowski, a senior deputy of the Civic Platform, tipped to win power in a right-wing coalition in September's general elections. "This is of strategic interest for Poland," he said.
Poland, as well as other post-communist central European states now in the European Union, are concerned that Russia is seeking to re-establish its grip over the region through its near monopoly on oil and gas supplies.
Polish officials fear that after building another pipeline to Germany, Gazprom could effectively 'cork' the Yamal pipeline, which now supplies both Poland and its western neighbors.
President Aleksander Kwaśniewski also joined the fray, saying the pipeline may be "environmentally risky" since the Baltic Sea is shallow. (Reuters)
Polish officials have also voiced concern over plans to build the pipeline under the Baltic Sea, effectively bypassing Poland.
With backing from Berlin and Moscow, German BASF and Russian Gazprom agreed to invest in the undersea route - an alternative to expanding a recently built pipeline already running through Poland.
"The deal is not yet finalized and we will certainly try to block it," said Bronisław Komorowski, a senior deputy of the Civic Platform, tipped to win power in a right-wing coalition in September's general elections. "This is of strategic interest for Poland," he said.
Poland, as well as other post-communist central European states now in the European Union, are concerned that Russia is seeking to re-establish its grip over the region through its near monopoly on oil and gas supplies.
Polish officials fear that after building another pipeline to Germany, Gazprom could effectively 'cork' the Yamal pipeline, which now supplies both Poland and its western neighbors.
President Aleksander Kwaśniewski also joined the fray, saying the pipeline may be "environmentally risky" since the Baltic Sea is shallow. (Reuters)
