Meide may reach an agreement on the \"Beixi-2\" project

Meide may reach an agreement on the "Beixi-2" project

　　 Reuters reported on July 20 that the media quoted sources as saying that the United States and Germany were able to resolve their differences on the "Beixi-2" and will announce an agreement in the next few days.

　　 Earlier, after concluding talks with the US President, German Chancellor Merkel stated at a press conference in Washington that he discussed the "North Stream 2" project with US President Biden when discussing relations with Russia and Ukraine. Merkel pointed out that Germany and the United States have different positions on the "Beixi-2" project. She said that Ukraine will still maintain its status as a transit country for Russian natural gas, and "North Stream 2" is a supplementary project that will not replace the transit transportation of natural gas through Ukraine.

　　 According to reports, sources said that the United States and Germany will reach an agreement to prevent the United States from extending sanctions on the "North Stream-2" natural gas pipeline project operator Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO. The source also pointed out that the agreement will also include a commitment by the United States and Germany to allocate additional funds to support the Ukrainian energy sector and invest in Ukraine's energy transition, energy efficiency and energy security to offset the negative impact of the "North Stream 2" project. The source said: "It looks like the two sides are talking well, and it is expected that an agreement will be reached in the next few days."

　　 The "Beixi-2" project plans two natural gas pipelines, which can transport 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Russian coast across the Baltic Sea to Germany each year. Some European countries such as the United States and Ukraine, which promote their own LNG in Europe, actively oppose the project. The United States imposed sanctions on the pipeline in December 2019.

　　 Previously, the White House stated that it is difficult to stop the construction of the natural gas pipeline because its construction has been basically completed. On May 20, the United States announced that it would abandon sanctions against Nord Stream 2 AG, which was implementing the "North Stream 2" natural gas pipeline project, and explained that it was in its national interest. But then the United States imposed sanctions on Russian organizations and ships under the "North Stream 2" project.

　　 Russia has repeatedly pointed out that "Beixi-2" is a commercial project that is good for Russia and the European Union, and called for the cessation of any politicization. Germany advocates completing the construction of this natural gas pipeline and opposes unilateral cross-regional sanctions imposed by the United States.