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Berlin (AP) - Shortly before the eagerly awaited speech by US President Joe Biden at the virtual Munich security conference, ex-Federal Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) rejected the US's criticism of the German-Russian Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 2.

"From the point of view of European sovereignty, the USA is not concerned with anything", said the chairman of the Atlantik-Brücke of "Welt" (Thursday).

«I think this is a European decision - with all the opportunities and risks.

But it's not American. "

The project complies with European rules and laws.

The US is fighting the pipeline, which is supposed to transport 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia to Germany once a year, because they want to prevent Europe from becoming too dependent on Russian energy supplies.

Proponents of the gas pipeline, on the other hand, have long accused the Americans of only wanting to sell their liquid gas in Europe.

Also because of Russia's dealings with the recently convicted Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, critics are calling for Nord Stream 2 to be stopped.

Gabriel pointed out that the Biden government recently stopped the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada and “is now focusing even more on more climate-damaging fracking.

But that's a matter for the Americans, not the Europeans. "

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For the first time since taking office on January 20, Biden will address a European audience at the conference on Friday.

The world's most important expert meeting on security policy should actually take place between February 19 and 21 in the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich.

Because of the corona pandemic, it is now becoming a digital event.

It will also take just under three hours (4:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.).

Gabriel expects von Biden's speech that the new president will reaffirm "that the US is back as a real partner and is interested in working with others - especially with us Europeans."

Unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, Biden is relying on the European allies and NATO to strengthen them.

“Joe Biden will probably also address the complicated relationship with Russia and China and not ignore critical topics such as Nord Stream 2.

And he will certainly reach out to us for an ambitious climate policy », said Gabriel.

In addition to Biden, Chancellor Angela Merkel will also take part in the Munich Security Conference.

The main theme will be the new beginning in transatlantic relations after the change of power in the White House.

In addition, it should also be about climate protection and the corona pandemic.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210218-99-488890 / 2