BERLIN, 18 January. /TASS/. Germany and Russia should continue cooperation in the field of energy. This was announced on Tuesday in Hamburg by Vice-Chancellor, Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection of Germany Robert Habeck. Translation of his press conference with the mayor of Hamburg Peter Chencher was carried out by the ministry on the Internet.

“We depend on existing with each other, we need gas, and Russia needs money,” said a spokesman for the Soyuz-90/Greens party.

Speaking about the situation in Germany around Nord Stream 2, Habek recalled that the certification of the gas pipeline is currently suspended, since the project does not yet fully comply with European standards. He affirmed the belief that the decision-making process “will be professional”.

On the situation around Nord Stream 2

The construction of Nord Stream 2 was fully completed on September 10, 2021. it is speculated to be nearing the end of 2019, however due to the slowdown in construction in the US. The gas pipeline consists of two strings with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters. m per year, which run from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany.

To launch the gas pipeline, Nord Stream 2 AG needs to obtain the status of an independent transport operator. On November 16, the German Federal Network Agency suspended certification due to organizational and legal nature. The regulator noted that the process will be resumed when the company, headquartered in the Swiss city of Zug, will transfer the fixed assets related to the German segment to the ownership of the German subsidiary.

On December 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia had made a speech with the participation of representatives of Nord Stream 2, now the word is up to the Europeans. Nord Stream 2 is ready to go, he said. Putin said that as soon as partners in Europe decide to start work, there will immediately begin the flow of large volumes of Russian gas. The head of state is firmly convinced that the launch of Nord Stream 2 suppresses the growth of gas prices in Europe.

Germany now needs more gas as the country moves away from coal and nuclear energy.