This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/russia/514252-france-germany-nordstream2-navalny/
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| France asks Germany to halt construction of Nord Stream 2 over jailing of Navalny, despite Paris’ growing reliance on Russian gas | France asks Germany to halt construction of Nord Stream 2 over jailing of Navalny, despite Paris’ growing reliance on Russian gas |
| (7 months later) | |
| A senior French politician has urged Berlin to cancel the construction of the almost-complete Russo-German Nord Stream 2 offshore gas pipeline over the detention of opposition figure Alexey Navalny. | A senior French politician has urged Berlin to cancel the construction of the almost-complete Russo-German Nord Stream 2 offshore gas pipeline over the detention of opposition figure Alexey Navalny. |
| The project, conceived to improve Germany’s energy security and to make Europe less reliant on Ukraine for transit of Moscow’s gas, was due to be launched last year. However, it has been held back by US-imposed sanctions aimed at blocking the connection which offers a cheaper alternative to American liquefied natural gas (LNG). | The project, conceived to improve Germany’s energy security and to make Europe less reliant on Ukraine for transit of Moscow’s gas, was due to be launched last year. However, it has been held back by US-imposed sanctions aimed at blocking the connection which offers a cheaper alternative to American liquefied natural gas (LNG). |
| In recent years, Washington has claimed that the pipeline threatens European energy security and has attempted to frustrate it as a way to punish Russia. Now, following the Navalny case, Paris has taken the same view as the US. | In recent years, Washington has claimed that the pipeline threatens European energy security and has attempted to frustrate it as a way to punish Russia. Now, following the Navalny case, Paris has taken the same view as the US. |
| “We have always said that we have the greatest concerns about the project,” France’s Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune told France Inter radio on Monday. | “We have always said that we have the greatest concerns about the project,” France’s Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune told France Inter radio on Monday. |
| When asked if the government supports halting Nord Stream 2, Beaune replied, “Indeed, we've already said that.” | When asked if the government supports halting Nord Stream 2, Beaune replied, “Indeed, we've already said that.” |
| Earlier that day, Russian energy giant Gazprom announced that January 2021 saw increased gas exports to the continent, with France receiving 77.3 percent more than they did a year previous. | Earlier that day, Russian energy giant Gazprom announced that January 2021 saw increased gas exports to the continent, with France receiving 77.3 percent more than they did a year previous. |
| Beaune’s comments join a chorus of other international voices calling for Berlin to halt its cooperation with Moscow. Last month, the European Parliament passed a resolution demanding an end to the pipeline’s construction. | Beaune’s comments join a chorus of other international voices calling for Berlin to halt its cooperation with Moscow. Last month, the European Parliament passed a resolution demanding an end to the pipeline’s construction. |
| Despite ever-growing pressure on the German government, it have remained steadfast. On January 24, Germany’s Minister of Environmental Protection Svenja Schulze continued to voice her backing for the project, noting that it is being constructed with the correct permits and entirely "in accordance with principles of the rule of law." | Despite ever-growing pressure on the German government, it have remained steadfast. On January 24, Germany’s Minister of Environmental Protection Svenja Schulze continued to voice her backing for the project, noting that it is being constructed with the correct permits and entirely "in accordance with principles of the rule of law." |
| The vast majority of the pipeline has already been completed, with just six percent left to go. On Friday, Russian parliamentary energy committee chairman Pavel Zavalny told the press that “all sensible people understand” it will be finished, despite obstacles placed by foreign countries. | The vast majority of the pipeline has already been completed, with just six percent left to go. On Friday, Russian parliamentary energy committee chairman Pavel Zavalny told the press that “all sensible people understand” it will be finished, despite obstacles placed by foreign countries. |
| Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! | Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! |
| Dear readers and commenters, | |
| We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system. | |
| Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments, | |
| RT Team. |