Energy security the European Union is ensured by the integration of energy markets and development of infrastructure projects, gas supply from Russia only strengthen it, a Brookings Institute specialist Tim Boersma.

in his vision, the arguments of opponents of building of a gas pipeline "Northern stream-2" really weak." the overwhelming number of critics miss the point. Although the extension of the gas pipeline and will not benefit the small individual States of the EU, the Project is generally favorable to Europe ", - says the expert.

However, the expert underlines, the EU countries need further efforts to integrate energy markets. If there remain gaps, it is possible to blame them in European States themselves, and not "Russia's intervention," said Tim Boersma.

Other measures that increase the energy security of the continent, is the provision of sufficient storage capacity and opportunities for liquefied natural gas, adds the expert.

"Extra" gas from Russia coming into the European Union, is just a commodity, and concerns on the issue of "domination" of anyone on the market have no reason, as long as there is access to alternative resources, he writes.

Doubts about the economic component of the project "Northern stream-2" are unnecessary to understand this, just think about the intention of Ukraine to increase the transit fee for Gazprom, underlines Boersma.

Finally, opponents of the construction of a new pipeline indicate that Europe's demand for natural gas increases." While that is true, it is important to keep in mind that the internal gas production in EU is declining rapidly, " reminds the expert.

The project "Northern stream-2" involves the construction of 2 pipelines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic sea to the German coast. The mutual agreement of the shareholders of the project organization, which will deal with the construction of the pipeline was signed on 4 September.

sections: Politics