Why has Nord Stream 2 stalled? French Foreign Minister: Germany will decide the future of nord Stream 2, not the United States!
On Thursday, Feb. 10, on this day, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Derian said in an interview broadcast by Radio France International that Germany would make a final decision on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Asked whether France was guided by the U.S. position in the case, his answer was no. "No, we think it's a German thing. Only Germany can decide its future," he said. "At the same time, my German colleague made it clear to me that if large-scale [restrictive] measures are taken, the pipeline will be included in this [sanctions] package," the minister added.
"Nord Stream Day 2 is just one aspect of [sanctions]. If the Russian side takes military action, large-scale sanctions will be imposed, which will also affect Nord Stream 2. But that's not the core issue," Le Derian said.
Why has Nord Stream 2 stalled?
It is reported that the Nord Stream 2 is to start work, and the operators of Nord Stream 2 must be approved by the German regulator. On 16 November, the Federal Network Office (Bundesnetzagentur) suspended the process of certifying Nord Stream 2 AG in Zug (Switzerland) as an independent transmission operator due to organizational and legal concerns. The regulator noted that the certification process will continue to be suspended until major assets and human resources are transferred to ownership of its German subsidiary. On January 26, 2022, Nord Stream 2 AG announced the establishment of a German subsidiary, Gas for Europe GmbH, which will become the operator of the German gas pipeline segment as an independent operator of the transport system as required by the country's laws.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Dec. 29 that Russia and its partners had completed the task of creating Nord Stream 2, adding that it was now up to the Europeans to decide. The Russian leader noted that the pipeline is ready for use. Putin said that once European partners make a decision on this, more Russian gas will be injected into it. He also expressed confidence that the launch of Nord Stream 2 will contribute to lower gas prices in Europe.
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