Austria, Ukraine have different views on Nord Stream 2 construction – Kurz

Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says his country and Ukraine have different views on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

He made this announcement at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vienna.

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The event was broadcast live on the Facebook page of the President's Office on September 15.

"I would like to say that Mr. President of Ukraine and I – we perhaps view the construction of Nord Stream 2 from a slightly different angle, because we believe, of course, that diversification in the economy is always a positive factor, along with the use of different routes for energy supplies. But we do not forget that there is also an economic aspect in addition to a political one," Kurz said.

Commenting on Nord Stream 2

Kurz noted that friends should openly discuss any topic, even if they have opposite positions.

"Mr. President and I have clarified this issue a little in our personal conversation, and I believe that it is important for friends to openly speak on any topic, even if you have completely opposite or slightly different views," he added.

Background

• The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. It should connect Russia's Ust-Lug and Germany's Greifswald. This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
• The construction of the pipeline was expected to be completed before the end of 2019.
• The pipeline will be 1,220 km long. The project is being implemented by Russia's Gazprom in alliance with European companies – ENGIE, OMV, Royal Dutch Shell, Uniper, and Wintershall. Ukraine stands against the construction of Nord Stream 2 as it will most likely lose its status of a gas transit country, while its potential revenue losses are estimated at US$3 billion annually. The project is also highly criticized by the U.S., Poland, and the Baltic States.
• On July 15, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that the participants in the Nord Stream 2 project would fall under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, CAATSA.
• On July 23, the U.S. Senate approved the draft National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which, among other things, contains additional sanctions against the companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2.