German MPs criticized the U.S. for pressure on the "Nord stream — 2"
Germany should be prepared to answer certain US measures if Washington imposes extraterritorial sanctions in relation to the "Nord stream — 2", said the head of the Bundestag Committee for economic Affairs and energy, a Deputy from the party "Left" Klaus Ernst in an interview with the newspaper "Izvestia".
The bill concerning restrictive measures against the "Nord stream — 2", previously introduced in the U.S. Senate. The document, in particular, provides for sanctions against insurers that insure vessels working on construction of a gas pipeline.
Ernst stressed that this gesture should not be considered as friendly for Berlin.
"This assault on the sovereignty of Germany and the European Union. If it does not stop, then to protect ourselves, we need to consider serious measures. For example, punitive tariffs for American natural gas," — said the Deputy.
Another member of the same Committee of the Bundestag suggested that the new sanctions will not be able to prevent the completion of construction of the Russian pipeline in the event of their introduction.
"The ban on the maintenance of the pipeline, which is discussed in the United States rather shows that, according to Washington, Russia will be able to finish it by yourself. Germany for its part, intends to monitor and evaluate further developments in order to support the completion of the pipeline," — said the MP from the SPD Timon Gremmels.
MP from the FDP, Martin Neumann, in turn, believes that the Federal government should support companies participating in the "Nord stream — 2". He also urged the EU to actively join the project.
"When it comes to sustainable energy market, Germany should not unsettle geopolitical issues. This applies to projects such as "Nord stream — 2", which is guaranteed to cover the request of Europe's gas," — said the MP.
"Nord stream — 2" involves the construction of two pipelines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas off the coast of Russia through the Baltic sea to Germany. Against the project actively support the US, the European Union promotes in its LNG and Ukraine and several European countries.
At the end of last year, the United States adopted a defense budget that provides for restrictive measures against companies involved in the project "Northern stream — 2". In particular, they stopped the work of the Swiss Allseas carried out the construction of a gas pipeline.
Russia has stated that it can complete the project independently, for example, using a laying vessel "Akademik Chersky". The ship has already arrived in Germany.