Progress in the pipeline
The plan, which could allow Russia to cut off gas supplies to Poland and other Central and Eastern European states without jeopardizing profitable gas flows to Western Europe, is so loathed among Poles that when Defense Minister Radosław Sikorski compared the deal to the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, most Poles hardly blinked an eye - though the statements caused an uproar in Germany and Russia.
Polish daily Rzeczpospolita and the German Suddeutsche Zeitung subsequently reported that Prime Minister Marcinkiewicz had proposed the idea of Polish participation in the financing of the pipeline to German Chancellor Angela Merkel during his meeting with her in Berlin last week. Marcinkiewicz has contradicted the reports, reiterating that Poland was against the project since it endangers the country's energy security and poses an ecological threat.
However, the Prime Minister ought to reconsider. Even if the back-room negotiating that resulted in the Baltic pipeline deal between Germany and Russia was irresponsible, Poland is absolutely powerless to halt its construction. Refusal to participate in its financing - while perhaps emotionally satisfying - would guarantee the absence of any Polish influence on the project.
On the other hand, the reported proposal for Poland's participation in the project outlines the possibility of allowing a Polish government representative on the management board of the pipeline. This would reduce the risk of energy blackmail on the part of Russia. At the same time, participation offers Poland an opportunity to mend relations with its biggest trading partner, Germany, which took great offense at Sikorski's statements. Chancellor Merkel appears amenable to better relations with Poland, and went to great lengths to ease tensions over the pipeline by admitting that her predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, never should have made the deal behind Poland's back.
The pipeline may indeed pose a threat to Poland's energy security, as well as to the ecosystem in the Baltic Sea. However, missing out on an opportunity to improve relations with two of its trading partners, as well as cementing influence on a project that will almost certainly go ahead with or without Poland's involvement, could be worth the risk.
