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Material for gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 (in Lubmin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 2019)
Photo: TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP
Gas is scarce in Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has now promised quick deliveries.
"This new pipeline will certainly help to stabilize prices on the European market," said Putin, referring to the new Nord Stream 2 pipeline. As soon as Germany opens its doors, more gas will flow to Europe - and that will lower prices the European spot market.
Gas deliveries for the Russian market have priority, Putin said.
"But Russia has the opportunity to increase its gas exports."
Shortly before, the energy company Gazprom had announced that the previously non-certified gas pipeline was ready to go.
The second line is completely filled with technical gas, said CEO Alexej Miller of the Interfax agency.
The procedure was concluded at noon.
Nord Stream 2 is supposed to bring gas from Russia to Germany bypassing Ukraine.
The Baltic Sea pipeline was completed weeks ago, but is not yet in operation.
The operating license from the Federal Network Agency is still missing.
Its President Jochen Homann recently said that there will not be any decisions on this in the first half of 2022.
Scholz: the Baltic Sea pipeline is a "private-sector project"
The project is controversial.
The US government criticizes that Europe is making itself too dependent on Russia for its energy supply.
The financially weak Ukraine is urgently dependent on the billions in revenue from the transit fees for gas transit and now fears high losses.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock confirmed that Nord Stream 2 is more than a purely private-sector project for her.
"The last few years have made it clear, with a view to the different perceptions in Europe, which geostrategic role Nord Stream 2 plays," said the Green politician.
Therefore, the old federal government of the Union and the SPD have already acknowledged that this pipeline also raises security issues.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) described the procedure as "completely apolitical" and the pipeline as a "private-sector project".
With regard to the approval process, Baerbock sees no difference with Scholz: “The legal review is currently with the Federal Network Agency.
Olaf Scholz and I used different words to describe this state of affairs. "
hej / dpa-AFX