(MENAFN- UkrinForm) German Chancellor Angela Merkel promises to discuss with Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky the issue of keeping gas transit via Ukraine after the construction of Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
At the same time, she expressed confidence that the European Commission could no longer stop the gas pipeline, DW reports.
"The project is almost completely approved," she said on Wednesday evening. At the same time, the Chancellor acknowledged that the new EU gas directive gave the European Commission an opportunity to challenge the project, but would not prevent it.
According to Merkel, "a key point" in construction of a new gas pipeline is the role of Ukraine. "Ukraine should remain a transit country, despite the Nord Stream," the Chancellor said. She promised to discuss this issue with the newly elected president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
Merkel noted that the Nord Stream pipeline 'is acceptable."
As reported, on May 13, the U.S. Senate registered a bill on the imposition of sanctions on companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2.
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is being built from Russia to Germany bypassing Ukraine through the Baltic Sea. The route covers over1,200 kilometers. The totalcapacity of Nord Stream 2 is expected at the level of 55 billion cubic metersof gas a year.
Ukraine opposes the construction of Nord Stream 2 because of possible loss of transit country status. In addition, the North Stream 2 opponents are the United States, Poland and the Baltic States, who warn that the EU will become dependent on Russian gas. However, Germany says this project is economic, not political.
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