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Heiko maas
Berlin does not intend to back down from the dispute with the United States over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas was quoted as saying by DPA.
We should not be informed about European sovereignty, as it means that in future we must do whatever Washington wants, he said in connection with the upcoming inauguration of new US President Joe Biden on January 20.
Berlin seeks a new start in relations with Washington under Biden, after they deteriorated under incumbent President Donald Trump, DPA notes. However, disagreements will continue on some controversial points, Maas said.
“The federal government will not change its position on Nord Stream 2,” he emphasized, but added: “The important thing is that we are united on core strategic and geopolitical issues, we are on the same side of the playing field.”
US policy is not expected to change with Biden’s inauguration – the newly elected Democratic president rejects the project as does Trump, according to the DPA.
The United States has condemned Nord Stream 2, which it says threatens the security of NATO allies in the European Union by increasing its dependence on Russia, and has threatened new sanctions. It was recently announced that the pipeline was 94 percent ready. Proponents of the project accuse the United States of simply wanting to be able to better sell its own gas in Europe.
