The Delegation of PSD questioned the European Commission on Tuesday about the removal of the third natural gas interconnection between Portugal and Spain from the 4th list of Projects of Common Interest (PIC), published in October.
In a written question signed by the entire Social Democratic delegation in the European Parliament, MEPs ask for clarification on the circumstances under which this decision was taken, as well as on whether the Portuguese government had taken any action in order to avoid it.
According to news released earlier this year, the project in question would have been abandoned by decision of Spain and France, which would have “agreed” to also eliminate the connection with Portugal after abandoning the interconnection planned for the Pyrenees (STEP project), and since the two projects were linked.
If it is true, the PSD MEPs consider it is necessary to inform the Portuguese about what has been done by the government to try to avoid this outcome, which could be detrimental to national interests.
"It is important that the European Commission and the Portuguese government clarify what happened", stated Maria da Graça Carvalho, deputy coordinator of the European People's Party in the ITRE - Industry, Innovation and Energy Commission. "After having heard the national authorities about the potential of these projects, there is the feeling that we have moved from a 'European gateway to natural gas' to an exit through the back door."
The question to the European Commission was sent as a matter of priority, in order to guarantee a more expeditious response. The 4th list of Projects of Common Interest will voted on Wednesday at the ITRE commission.