The new bill on sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under construction leaves room for dialogue, which was not the case in previous versions. This was stated by the head of the German Bundestag Committee for Economy and Energy Klaus Ernst , reports RIA Novosti .
According to him, the benefit of the restrictive measures in the current edition is that European governments and bodies are removed from under them. As such, the document does not impede negotiations, which can be regarded as progress.
Ernst emphasized that Germany and European Union are obliged to explicitly indicate during this dialogue, that their sovereignty should not be discussed.
The deputy commented on the draft law on the defense budget, approved by both chambers of Congress, included expanded sanctions against the pipeline.
They punish companies that promote the sale, lease or provision of pipelayers for the construction of a gas pipeline. In particular, the restrictions apply to companies that can service or install welding equipment on vessels suitable for the work.
However, the project may be blocked by the current US President Donald Trump . The situation has nothing to do with Nord Stream 2, the head of the White House strongly disagrees with the situation related to social networks.
Meanwhile, earlier the German media reported that the authorities of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are going to create Climate Change Fund to circumvent future US sanctions. It is assumed that through it German companies will be able to provide their services to the gas pipeline project without formally contacting it in any way.
In the coming days, according to a number of sources, the construction of Nord Stream 2 will resume. However, this is only about work in German waters, although the main challenge remains pipe-laying in Danish waters. What vessel is used for these purposes is still officially not reported.