NATO exploring possibility of building gas pipeline

NATO is exploring the possibility of building a gas pipeline that would connect Spain's Catalonia with France and would reduce Central Europe's dependence on Russian gas, Report informs referring to the newspaper La Vanguardia.

The Midcat pipeline initiative was blocked three years ago by Spanish and French regulators because they felt that its construction would not be cost-effective in the context of the rapid replacement of gas with renewable energy sources.

"It is a new trans-Pyrenean connection to send Algerian gas and liquefied gas to the center of Europe, which could be stored and processed by eight regasification plants located in Spain and Portugal," the publication clarifies.

The question of a possible "restart of a new cross-border connection with France to deliver gas to the very heart of Europe is currently on the working tables of NATO countries." "Germany is very interested in the project," the newspaper noted, adding that Germany's high dependence on Russian gas "now appears to be one of the main geostrategic weaknesses of the EU."