Myths and Facts Europe's Dependency on Russian Gas

At the end of 2012, the second phase of the Nord Stream gas pipeline will go into operation. With that, the debate over natural gas from Russia is likely to flare up again. There are two competing positions. One side claims that natural gas relations are commercial activities that benefit both sides. The political class and public emphasise, however, the European Union's unilateral dependence on Russia for energy. Since the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, which led to short-term stoppage of deliveries, gas from Russia has been increasingly discussed as a security problem. This is untenable.