Securitization of energy relations by Poland, Latvia, Denmark and Sweden: the building of Nord Stream 2
Date
2018
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
Over the past years, discussion concerning enhancing t he security of supply and
avoiding the fragmentation of EU gas market have a dominated place on the agenda
of the European Commission, chaired by Jean-Claude Juncker. In this light, the
proposal of the new pipeline, Nord Stream 2 has raised a couple of controversial
questions. It led to a new tension within an EU-level regarding forming the two
blocs, r espectively s upporters and opponents of the gas project. The thesis aims to
provide the analysis of the four Member States that have voiced against t he building
of the pipeline. The chosen countries consider the Nord Stream 2 project as a
political tool which might divide the EU inside and ensure the Russian dominance in
the European energy market. In such a situation, the particular Member States stands
on blocking it to prevent the inevitable consequences. The research outlines the
common stance on the gas offshore by analysing the speech acts of Member States'
political leaders. According to the Copenhagen School, the thesis disputes t he degree
of s ecuritization which can b e gained in the particular energy issue. Primarily, the
study delves into the initial stage of the securitization known as a securitising
movement. Hence, the securitising actors, their speech acts and referent objects are
the essential elements of analysis. Functional actors such as Russia and Germany a re
included in the research as well. Overall, the findings confirm the political
significance of the energy relation in the context of t he construction of the pipeline
and its effect on the further escalation of securitising movement.