Government delegation heads to US for Nord Stream 2 talks

A German government negotiating team has travelled to the United States for talks on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, newspapers from the Funke media group reported on Tuesday, citing sources in government circles in both countries. According to them, the delegation is headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s foreign policy adviser Jan Hecker.

Merkel’s chief economic adviser Lars-Hendrik Roeller is also part of the delegation. In Washington, team members are scheduled to meet with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, among others.

The US opposes the construction of Nord Stream 2, but decided in late May to waive sanctions against the company building the pipeline. Merkel recently stated that she expects further talks on the project.

Nord Stream 2 from Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany consists of two lines and is largely completed. According to the investment company, 30 kilometres of the pipeline still need to be laid in German waters and 120 kilometres are still missing in Danish waters. The pipeline is expected to transport 55 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year.

The construction of the Russian-German pipeline is opposed by Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic States. Critics of Nord Stream 2 repeat, among other things, that the project will increase Europe’s dependence on Russian gas and expand the Kremlin’s influence on European politics.

rel. PortalMorski.pl