Germany's Transatlantic Coordinator Peter Beyer doubts scandalous the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as WirtschaftsWoche reported.
"The project is a serious stumbling block for the restart of transatlantic relations. The Americans expect us not only to change our rhetoric, but also to let actions speak for themselves. I, therefore, advocate a construction moratorium for Nord Stream 2,” Beyer said.
The suppositions for such demands are irritation over the pipeline expressed by the new American administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. The hopes that the change of authority might mitigate dispute over the pipeline turned sour. U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken talked tough about Nord Stream 2 during the visit to Brussels.
According to Beyer, Germany should consider this attitude.
“European sovereignty must not be misunderstood or reinterpreted as a fortress Europe. Strong Europe – yes. Isolation from the USA – no,” the official noted.
The German government still opposes political interference in the construction of the gas pipeline as Berlin considers it to be only an economic project.
The U.S. supposes that the Nord Stream 2 will bypass Ukraine, the ally of the West and it deprives Ukraine of valuable transit fees. According to Washington, the gas pipeline will also increase the energy dependence of Europe from Russia.
Earlier, U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken stated that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which runs from Russia to Germany, contradicts interests of the EU and Ukraine alike.
Besides, he reminded all contributors to the Nord Stream II project about the threat of American sanctions.
In December 2019, the U.S. introduce sanctions against the Nord Stream II, and Swiss-Dutch company Allseas stopped works on the pipeline; Russian gas monopolist Gazprom decided to complete the works on their own production capacities.
As we reported, the French insurance and investment group of companies AXA Group left the project of Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction. It became known that another 17 companies refused from further cooperation within this project.
Environment Minister Svenja Schulze stated that Germany might face compensation claims in arbitration courts if it suspends the Nord Stream 2 project.
