Problem in the pipeline
Poland may well put a spanner in the works of a German-Russian project to lay a gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, writes Polska Daily. The European Commission has entrusted Warsaw with a mission to dredge the Baltic sea bed of chemical weapons lost during World War 2. A detailed ecological analysis carried out under Polish supervision suggests that an extremely dangerous arsenal lurks underwater. “According to cautious estimates, about 40,000 tons of chemical weapons are strewn across the Baltic seabed, not to mention some 300,000 tons of rusting regular ammunition,” relates Polska. Poland, as well as Stockholm and Helsiniki have been fervent opponents of the German-Russian Nord Stream project from the very beginning. Should a sea bed pipeline be too hazardous, one alternative could well be envisaged – that the pipeline could take a land route… through Poland.
At a time when Athens is still involved in debt restructuring negotiations with its private creditors, Neelie Kroes’ recent allusions to a Greek exit from the euro are a sign that European leaders are intent on preparing the terrain for such an eventuality.
As Greece pimps its ancient monuments to bring in the tourists, lovers of cultural heritage are up in arms. But the country is only doing openly what the whole of Europe is: looting historic sites to drum up more ready cash.
Asserting national values is central to the political project of the Hungarian PM. Since the start of the year, fifteen paintings, specially commissioned for an exhibition in the Castle of Buda, have been putting this ambition on show.