German Vice-Chancellor Urges to Keep Politics Out of Nord Stream-2 Pipeline

Politics should not be mixed into the Nord Stream-2 pipeline project intended to bring Russian natural gas to Germany across the Baltic Sea, German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said Wednesday at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

NOVO-OGARYOVO (Sputnik) — Shareholders of New European Pipeline AG, a joint venture which oversees the Nord Stream-2 project, signed up for its construction in early September.

Signatories are Russia’s energy company Gazprom, with 51 percent of shares; E.On (10 percent); Shell (10 percent); OMV (10 percent); BASF/Wintershall (10 percent); and Engie (9 percent).

Gabriel said it was in Berlin's interest that "German authorities should have the final say in all legal issues. If we succeed, any external influence will be ruled out." He emphasized that political influence on gas projects was the biggest concern.

A second Nord Stream pipeline would use the original Nord Stream pipeline for 86 percent of the route before branching off. It will transport up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas from Russian shores across the Baltic Sea to the northern coast of Germany.

According to Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, Nord Stream-2’s main markets are Germany, France, Italy and the Baumgarten hub in Austria.