Almost all EU Countries Signed a Protest Note Supporting Nord Stream 2

Only three EU countries did not sign the appeal to the US Foreign Ministry protesting Washington's interference in the construction of the gas pipeline. The United States is accused of violating international law. 24 countries of the European Union signed a note of protest against US interference in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. On Thursday evening, August 13, European diplomatic circles confirmed to Die Welt that a demarche containing accusation of violation of international law had been sent to the US Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. Despite the fact that not all EU members participate in or support the construction of the gas pipeline, the commonwealth has managed to work out an almost unified position. Only three countries refused to support the protest note and there is no information about which ones. The content of the demarche echoes the statement of the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell, made on July 17. He expressed deep concern over the increasing number of cases of sanctions against European companies and their interests. "European policy should be determined in Europe, not by third countries," he said. On Tuesday, German-Finnish energy company Uniper warned shareholders in a report that US sanctions "increased the likelihood that the pipeline will be delayed or not completed at all." Construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline The US opposes the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline construction. In their opinion, it will increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas supplies. Piping work on the bottom of the Baltic Sea has been suspended due to US sanctions on European contractors that came into effect in December 2019. The measures include a ban on entry into the United States for representatives of these companies and freezing any of their assets in the country. After the sanctions entered into force, the Swiss company Allseas suspended participation in the project. The pipe-laying vessel Akademik Chersky arrived from Nakhodka at the German port of Mukran back in May, but the Danish authorities have now banned any construction work in the area of Bornholm Island, explaining this by spawning cod.