Indrek Tarand (Verts/ALE), in writing. – While it is important to future-proof our security and defence strategies in the field of space capabilities, we must not forget to secure ourselves in terms of more basic necessities such as energy. Before relocating into space we must first make sure everything is in order at home. Energy security has to be a core priority for the EU. A reliable supply of energy will ensure not only our survival but also our ability to conduct research and innovate in the field of security and defence.

We should not increase our dependency on Russian gas by doubling the capacity of the Nord Stream pipeline. Doing so would be extremely detrimental to our energy security since Russia has demonstrated on countless occasions that it is not a reliable partner for the European Union and that it does not hesitate to use energy as a political weapon. The solution to our current predicament lies in creating more effective energy interconnections within the EU, as well as diversifying our sources of supply.