Gerhard Schröder defended the construction of Nord Stream 2

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder defended the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline before the investigative committee of the state parliament in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This was reported by the Berliner Zeitung.

Schröder explained that the project was the right step to take in order to reduce Germany's dependence on nuclear and coal energy and to secure the supply of affordable natural gas from Russia. At the same time, it served the competitiveness of German industry, as renewable energy sources are not yet reliable enough.

The establishment of the Climate Foundation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania made it possible to complete the pipeline despite the threat of US sanctions.

The foundation, which was financed with €20 million from the Nord Stream consortium, was intended to secure the completion of the project through covert transactions, as the companies involved in the construction were exposed to the risk of US sanctions.

During his testimony, the former chancellor frequently refused to answer certain questions, describing them as nonsensical or irrelevant and sometimes responding with irony. He emphasized that he had no influence on US foreign policy.

Schröder insists that economic cooperation with Russia in the energy sector has been a proven policy. He considers the construction of the pipeline to be a safe and sensible energy strategy for Germany.

(sie)