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Despite the clouded relationship between the West and Russia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania remains committed to the controversial Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. Those "who have always been against the pipeline project" should not use the situation to stop it, said Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig on Sunday evening on ARD.
"Because it is important that Germany remains in dialogue with Russia now, especially in these difficult times," said the SPD politician, also referring to the wave of arrests during mass protests of supporters of the imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny in Russia.
Natural gas is to be transported from Russia to Western Europe through the almost completed double tube.
The US has initiated sanctions against the nearly ten billion euro project.
They reject the leadership on the grounds that it will make Europe dependent on Russia.
The US State Department has warned the European firms involved in the construction that they are exposing themselves to the risk of sanctions.
Against this background, the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has set up a "Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation".
It should also become economically active as part of a "business operation" and make a contribution to the progress of work on the pipeline.
"Yes, it is possible to help Nord Stream for a limited time," said Schwesig on ARD.
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The foundation will neither build nor operate the pipeline: "But wherever American sanctions threaten German companies, we have to see where we can help."
At the same time, she contradicted the representation that environmental protection is of secondary importance to the foundation.
The main purpose of using funds for the environment and climate protection is ultimately unlimited in time.
However, the pipeline is threatened with a longer delay due to objections from environmentalists at the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH).