ZCZC
BCN-29
EUROPEAN-ENERGY-POLICY-GERMAN
European energy policy should be determined by Europe, not US – German top
diplomat
BERLIN, January 11, 2019 (BSS/TASS) – German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas
on Thursday strongly rejected the US criticism of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline
project to deliver Russian gas to Europe bypassing transit countries.
“Matters related to the European energy policy must be decided upon in
Europe, not in the United States,” the minister said during a reception
organized by the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations.
He added that his country was open to criticism of the project, but
imposing unilateral sanctions over it would be wrong.
“Imposing unilateral sanctions against Nord Stream 2 is a wrong path
anyway. I clearly stated this to [US Secretary of State] Michael Pompeo,” the
foreign minister said.
The German top diplomat reiterated that Berlin had received Moscow’s
assurances that gas transit via Ukraine would continue after the pipeline
goes into operation.
“We support the talks with Russia and Ukraine currently being conducted by
the European Commission,” he said.
Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper reported last Sunday, citing sources in
the German government, that Berlin was concerned by US plans to impose
sanctions on two construction companies – Swiss-based Allseas Group and
Italy’s Saipem. According to the paper, Allseas Group, which is to lay “over
90% of pipelines for the project,” will have to bear the brunt, while Saipem
has already completed its work under the contract.
BSS/TASS/HR/1445