German Foreign Minister Berbock: Nord Stream 2 plays an important geostrategic role
Photo: Thomas Trutschel / globallookpress.com
The Nord Stream 2 (SP-2) gas pipeline plays an important geostrategic role; it cannot be considered a private commercial project. This was stated by the head of the German Foreign Ministry, Annalena Berbock, in an interview with the DPA agency.
The Minister indicated her disagreement with the position of the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who believes that the certification process for Nord Stream 2 should not have political overtones, and the new gas pipeline is a joint commercial project. “The last few years, even considering the different perceptions [of the project] in Europe, have clearly shown the geostrategic role played by Nord Stream 2,” said Berbock.
The Foreign Minister recalled the mutual agreement between Berlin and Washington on Nord Stream 2, in which the parties agreed to introduce a new package of economic sanctions in the event of Russian speculations on the energy market. “Even the previous government of Germany, together with the US administration, made it clear that energy resources cannot be used as a weapon and that this would have significant consequences. And that also holds true, ”added Berbock.
Earlier, Germany prepared for power outages amid insufficient gas supplies from Russia due to the suspension of certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Otherwise, Germany will not be able to implement an energy transition, which consists of abandoning nuclear power and ending the production of electricity from coal.
On December 27, US President Joe Biden signed the country's defense budget for 2022. The law provides for funds to contain Russia, but the document rejected new sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
