display
Cairo (dpa) - Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has expressed skepticism about the establishment of a foundation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to support the further construction of the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline.
«It is a decision that was made in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
It is not a decision by the federal government, ”said the SPD politician on Monday during a visit to Cairo.
The state government of the Social Democratic Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig wants to use a foundation aimed at the common good to help undo the sanctions threatened by the USA against companies involved in the pipeline.
The foundation is considering buying components and machines that are essential for completing the gas pipeline.
display
Maas made it clear that he was still hoping for an amicable settlement with Washington.
In the new “sanctions regime” on Nord Stream 2, a “consultation mechanism” is provided.
"Before the sanctions are implemented, there will be government consultations."
It is important to talk to each other “to look for solutions that are acceptable to both sides”.
The construction of the gas pipeline, which according to the state government costs around 11 billion euros, was interrupted shortly before completion at the end of 2019 after European companies bowed to pressure from the USA and pipe-laying ships pulled out of the Baltic Sea.
The USA justifies its resistance to the project and the announced sanctions against participating companies with the fact that its European partners are too dependent on Russian gas.
Pipeline proponents, on the other hand, accuse the USA of only wanting to sell their liquefied gas better in Europe.
Future US President Joe Biden rejects the pipeline like incumbent President Donald Trump.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210111-99-980243 / 2