The EU member States have joined the German-French compromise on the Nord Stream gas pipeline 2. The representatives of the countries had agreed to a common Position on the Revision of the European Gas Directive, tweeted that the Romanian presidency of the EU Council on Friday. There is thus a mandate for the negotiations with the EU Parliament. According to the diplomat, a German-French compromise proposal found almost unanimous support.

Previously, Germany and France had to submit their dispute to the Nord Stream gas pipeline 2. The governments in Berlin and Paris had agreed on the draft of the amended Gas Directive, the AFP news Agency. Accordingly, the responsibility for Pipelines would be with third States such as Russia in the EU country where the line for the first time on the European network. In the case of Nord Stream, 2 the Germany.

the dispute between The governments in Berlin and Paris, had begun, after the French had announced the Ministry of wool, unlike Germany votes for a tightening of the rules for Pipelines from third countries. This could have consequences for Nord Stream 2 and the project may be uneconomical to make.

United States regulation

The German-French proposal specified that the country “is where the first point of interconnection with the network of the member States”, for the negotiations with third States and is to be responsible. The national regulatory authority in that country would ensure, therefore, directly with the corresponding point in the third country, the application of the Gas Directive.

now the Commission is in accordance with the draft Amendment to the Gas Directive on the Basis of a proposal from the EU, including the participation of several EU member States. The circle of those Affected was taken far, because not only the coastal waters, but the much larger exclusive economic zone as a criterion.

Nord Stream 2 is to go to the end of the year

The EU Commission would not comment in Detail to the German-French proposal. The authority had not changed its previous opinion, but, a spokeswoman said. Therefore, could begin after a possible unification of the member States next week, the negotiations with the European Parliament and the Commission on the final policy.

The Federal government did not want to confirm the agreement with France. Berlin does not want to comment on the ongoing talks, said government spokesman Steffen Seibert. The Federal government was with France and all other member States in the interview.

Nord Stream 2 is to be transported from the end of 2019 Russian Gas through the Baltic sea to Germany. Germany would be the distributor to main for Russian gas in Western Europe, while Poland and the Ukraine would be weakened as a transit country for Gas supplies. Construction has already begun.

Previously, there were in the EU Council of member States, not a majority, of the Revision of the Gas Directive. With the support of France and other countries, Germany was able to prevent a common Position of 28 member States for a tightening.

France fears seem to US sanctions

According to French media reports, the pivot of France goes back in the Gas Directive also to economic interests. The French company Engie is involved in Nord Stream. France seems to want to avoid that Engie of U.S. sanctions will be affected, which could impose on Washington in the framework of the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act” (CAATSA).

More about

Nord Stream 2 Germany and the energy Dealer

Malte Lehming

The law was adopted in 2017, and puts Washington in the position to impose financial sanctions against companies that invest in the construction of Russian Export Pipelines. In August 2017, US President, Donald Trump had signed the law, which impose new sanctions against Iran, North Korea, and Russia. (AFP/ame)