Daily economic news
2021-07-22 19:47:04
Every time edited by Wang Xiaobo
The US State Department stated on the 21st thatThe United States and Germany have reached an agreement on the “Beixi-2” natural gas pipeline project. The two sides will cooperate to ensure energy security in Ukraine and Europe. The agreement was reached a few days after the last official visit to Washington by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in September this year.
Germany said that the agreement reached between Germany and the United States is “relieving.” Russian President Vladimir Putin said that “Beixi-2” is a commercial project, which is conducive to consolidating energy security in Germany and the European Union.
The US-Germany joint statement announced by the US State Department on the same day stated that if Russia tries to use energy as a weapon or “further aggression” against Ukraine, Germany will take action and urge the implementation of effective measures including sanctions at the European level, and restrict Russia’s energy exports to Europe. .
The statement said that the United States and Germany believe that Ukraine continues to serve as a natural gas transit country after 2024 in the interests of Ukraine and Europe, and Germany has pledged to use all means to promote the extension of the natural gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine for ten years. Germany has pledged to establish and manage the “Ukrainian Green Fund.” Germany and the United States will contribute at least US$1 billion to the fund to support Ukraine’s energy transition and improve its energy efficiency and safety.
A senior U.S. State Department official stated at a telephone press conference that day that although the U.S. still opposes the construction of the “Beixi-2” project, sanctions cannot stop the construction of the project and may also damage U.S.-EU relations.
German Foreign Minister Maas stated on social media that day that Germany and the United States reached a constructive solution to the “Beixi-2” issue, which is “relieving.” The two countries will support the development of green energy in Ukraine and guarantee the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukraine in the next ten years.
According to a statement issued by the Russian Kremlin website on the 21st, Russian President Putin had a phone conversation with German Chancellor Merkel at the appointment that day. Putin said that “Beixi-2” is a commercial project and will help consolidate energy security in Germany and the European Union. The two sides also held consultations on the extension of the natural gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine after 2024.
According to reports, the “Beixi-2” project aims to lay a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea bottom. The pipeline is about 1,200 kilometers long and is expected to be completed before the end of August. After the pipeline is completed, it can double the amount of natural gas exported from Russia to Germany and export Russian natural gas to other European countries.
The United States and Germany have been controversial over the “Beixi-2” issue in recent years. The United States considers this project to be a geostrategic project of Russia. The United States is worried that as the two natural gas pipelines “Beixi-2” and “Turkish Creek” are put into operation, imports of Russian natural gas through Ukraine in Europe will gradually become redundant, Ukraine’s political and security status in Europe will decline, and the EU will treat Russia. Energy dependence will increase.
Germany and Russia said that “Beixi-2” is a commercial project. The Russian government believes that the United States‘ obstruction of the project is intended to squeeze the share of Russian natural gas in the European energy market, so as to sell more American shale gas to European countries at high prices.
Daily Economic News Comprehensive Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News
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