Berlin Fears New US Sanctions on Nord Stream 2 Could Target German State

By Staff, Agencies

Germany's Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is concerned that new US sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project may affect not only German and European companies, but federal agencies as well, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported on Friday, citing an internal ministry document.

According to FAZ, the ministry fears that the new sanctions legislation being proposed by a bipartisan group of US lawmakers will target entities providing services -such as inspections, tests or certification work necessary to operate the pipeline. Therefore, the newspaper says, it's thought that the sanctions will target the government departments engaged in administrative and technical work for Nord Stream 2's construction or operation.

“It would be something new if sanctions were to be directed against the departments of [friendly] governments or against governments directly,” the internal document says, according to the newspaper. In any event, “it can be assumed that the new sanctions will significantly increase the number of German and European companies that are a potential sanctions target,” the document adds.

Speaking at a press conference later Friday, Economic Affairs and Energy minister Peter Altmaier stressed that new US sanctions measures against Nord Stream 2 would be a mistake.

“Regarding the US and the subject of Nord Stream 2, I think it would make little sense to speculate on possible measures. The German government has long been of the opinion that extraterritorial sanctions are at odds with international law and do not help to advance international cooperation,” Altmaier said, speaking to reporters.