Berlin Will Hold Consultations with Biden's Administration on Nord Stream 2

According to Heiko Mas, Berlin will discuss the o Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline completion with the new American administration. Berlin intends holding consultations with the new American administration on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline completion - after the inauguration of US President-elect Joseph Biden. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said this on Friday, January 15, in the capital of Germany. "Of course, we want - as soon as the new administration takes up its duties - to discuss this issue with our colleagues in Washington as well," the dpa agency quoted him saying. Mas recalled that the United States decided last December that it would hold "consultations at the government level" before introducing new restrictions. "We consider this a positive decision," the head of the FRG Foreign Ministry stressed. However, Mas declined to comment on the prospect of continuing the Heiko pipeline. "I cannot provide any information about the way are going to act those who will now carry out the construction in view of the available permission," he said. New permit for laying in German waters On January 15, the Federal Office for Maritime Shipping and Hydrography issued a new, expanded permit for Nord Stream 2 laying in German waters. If the previous permit for environmental reasons allowed underwater work in the exclusive economic zone of the Federal Republic of Germany only from May to September, the new one removed the time restrictions: under certain conditions, construction can be carried out all year round. The pipe-laying work was suspended in December 2019 due to US sanctions against European contractors. The Russian pipe-laying vessel Akademik Chersky arrived from Nakhodka to the German port of Mukran back in May 2020, but the Danish authorities banned any construction work in the area of Bornholm Island, explaining this by spawning cod. In December 2020, work resumed, shortly before the New Year, pipes were laid on a 2.6 km section in the special economic zone of Germany. Nord Stream 2: heated debate and US attempt to expand sanctions The construction of Nord Stream 2 has caused heated discussions in a number of countries. Thus, the United States believes this will make Europe dependent on Russian gas. And after the resonant poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, discussions began in Germany and Europe about the possible introduction of sanctions affecting the gas pipeline under construction. The United States has included penalties in its fiscal 2021 defense budget for facilitating the sale, lease, or provision of pipe-lay vessels to build the pipeline, and for providing insurance coverage for vessels involved in construction.