2021-02-08 12:50:00
GERMANY SUPPORTS NORD STREAM 2
GAS PROCESSING - February 05, 2021 - Germany is sticking with its support for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline "for the time being", Chancellor Angela Merkel said after condemning Russia's expulsion of diplomats from Sweden, Germany and Poland.
Russia earlier announced the expulsions, accusing the diplomats of taking part in illegal protests last month against the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
Merkel condemned the expulsions as "unjustified" and a further step by Moscow away from the rule of law.
A German government official said the Foreign Ministry had summoned the Russian ambassador "for an urgent meeting and made the German position very clear to him."
After talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, Merkel told reporters: "In connection with the events in Russia, we have already said that we reserve the right to continue sanctions, especially against individuals."
"The position on Nord Stream 2 is not affected by this for the time being; this is a project on which you know the position of the federal government," Merkel said.
It was a "diplomatic duty" to keep open channels of communication with Europe's giant eastern neighbour, she added.
Germany's position is that Nord Stream 2 is a commercial project. However, Merkel expanded on her description of the pipeline, which she said she discussed openly with Macron.
"On the one hand, this is a commercial project, on the other hand, it has political implications and plays a big role in the transatlantic area," Merkel said.
Washington has long argued the pipeline will increase Russian leverage over Europe. New U.S. President Joe Biden believes it is a "bad deal for Europe".
The poisoning and jailing of Navalny has thrust Nord Stream 2 up Germany's political agenda, creating a serious problem for Merkel's successor following the country's September election.
The frontrunner to succeed Merkel, new Christian Democrat leader Armin Laschet, firmly supports Nord Stream 2 but his would-be governing partner, the ecologist Greens, are opposed to it.
Macron said he "very strongly" condemned Moscow's behaviour towards Navalny from his poisoning to his arrest and to the expulsion of foreign diplomats.
On Nord Stream 2, he said: "We have set a European course and I will stick to it. Nothing can be done without close Franco-German cooperation. We want to implement a more sovereign energy transition and a more demanding discussion with Russia".
The $11 billion pipeline, which is 90% complete, would double the capacity of the existing Nord Stream line to deliver gas from Russia to Europe via Germany under the Baltic Sea.
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Earlier:
2021, February, 4, 16:25:00
NORD STREAM 2 SANCTIONS AGAIN
France's Engie is one of five European energy companies that have lent financial support to Nord Stream 2, which remains incomplete with some 150 km left to lay in Danish and German waters.
2021, January, 28, 12:55:00
NORD STREAM 2 SANCTIONS UNCHANGED
At a briefing, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden "continues to believe that Nord Stream 2 is a bad deal for Europe."
2021, January, 26, 12:20:00
NORD STREAM GAS RECORD
Natural gas supplies to European consumers over the Nord Stream gas pipeline increased to record-breaking 59.2 bln cubic meters, Nord Stream AG, the pipeline operator, said.
2021, January, 26, 12:15:00
NORD STREAM 2 DESPITE SANCTIONS
The resumption of work in the Danish offshore Exclusive Economic Zone using the Fortuna comes despite US sanctions imposed Jan. 19 against both the vessel and its Russian owner, KVT-RUS.
2021, January, 22, 11:30:00
NORD STREAM 2: LEGITIMATE BUSINESS
However, Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, reiterated as recently as Jan. 18 that EU companies involved in the construction of the pipeline were conducting "legitimate business."
2021, January, 20, 14:45:00
NORD STREAM 2 SANCTIONS ANEW
"Today, the US is imposing sanctions on the Russia-based entity KVT-RUS and identifying the vessel Fortuna as blocked property," Pompeo said in a statement.
2021, January, 6, 13:45:00
NORD STREAM 2 SANCTIONS YET
The US Senate on Jan. 1 voted to override President Donald Trump's veto of the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which includes new provisions related to Nord Stream 2 under the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Clarification Act (PEESCA).
