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Posted On

13
September
2021

Merkel backs Nord Stream 2 project, but speaks in favor of retaining Ukraine as gas transit country

WARSAW. Sept 13 (Interfax) – Economic issues took center stage at a meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, held in Warsaw on Saturday.

According to the Polish press, in a conversation with the head of the Polish government, Merkel, in particular, supported the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, but noted the need for Ukraine’s interests in this regard to be respected as well.

"Our goal is for Ukraine to remain a transit country for Russian gas. In cooperation with the United States, we want to ensure that after 2024 Ukraine remains a transit country," the chancellor said at the final press conference.

On Friday, it became known about the completion of the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. According to the project operator, Nord Stream 2 AG, further commissioning works will be carried out to put the gas pipeline into operation before the end of this year.

The US administration has long opposed the implementation of Nord Stream 2 and has repeatedly imposed sanctions on ships and individuals associated with the construction of the pipeline.

Nord Stream 2 with a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year passes from the Slavyanskaya compressor station in Kingiseppsky district of Leningrad region to the Baltic coast of Germany.