Germany will step up its vigilance on the protection of its critical infrastructure after the "
alleged acts of sabotage
" against the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Wednesday (September 28th).
“
We must prepare for scenarios that were still inconceivable until recently
,” she said in a statement.
"
This requires strong security authorities with the necessary means and skills
".
The "
protection of our critical infrastructure
", which covers in particular the production of electricity, the transport of gas and raw materials or distribution, "
has the highest priority
", she insisted.
For Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, the “
alleged acts of sabotage of pipelines in the Baltic Sea
” show “
pressingly how our critical infrastructures are vulnerable and must be protected, including under water
”.
Stopped since the war in Ukraine
The Federal Police patrols 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the North Sea and the Baltic.
"
In the border regions, the regions are responsible for risk prevention
", detailed Nancy Faeser As spectacular as they are, the gas leaks, preceded by explosions at the origin still unexplained, however, have no impact on supply to Europe: the two gas pipelines were not in service due to the war in Ukraine.
Although the commissioning of Nord Stream 2 was blocked by the German government in February, just before the war, the country had for many years supplied gas via Nord Stream 1 before Russia ended up turning off the tap at the start of the war. september.
Nord Stream 2, built in parallel with Nord Stream 1, was intended to double the capacity for importing Russian gas into Europe.
The two tubes connect Germany and Russia under the Baltic.
Read alsoUkraine: Westerners activate their first round of sanctions, Berlin resolves to block the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline
Europe's leading economy, which was 55% dependent on Russian gas before the war, now has to source its supplies elsewhere, at much higher prices, which seriously threatens its economic model.