What goes on in Europe on the 13th of August.
BiznesAlert.pl journalist on Polish Radio: Sanctions on Nord Stream 2 can drive a wedge between the US and Europe
– In my opinion, gas from Nord Stream 2 will not be seen until the end of 2020, because infrastructure is still missing to receive this raw material – said Bartłomiej Sawicki, BiznesAlert.pl journalist, in the broadcast „Więcej Świata” in the First Programme of Polish Radio.
The German economic association that promotes trade with the East warns of the US against sanctions against companies involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. This is a step that will harm European Union’s relations with the United States, the organization believes.
– Current US sanction proposals will primarily affect companies from friendly countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. They will also make European energy policy a toy in the hands of America – warns Wolfgang Buechele, head of the influential, traditionally pro-Russian German East Economy Commission (Ost-Ausschuss), in conversation with the DPA.
In his opinion, possible sanctions will lead to a split in relations between the EU and the US, which will hurt both sides. – That is why we are still trying to win the votes in the United States that are in favor of close transatlantic cooperation and against sanctions against European companies – Buechele declares.
Bartłomiej Sawicki said that the US Senate and the House of Representatives will vote on the sanction draft. – For two years, on Donald Trump’s desk there is a document that gives the right to impose sanctions on companies that are associated with Nord Stream 2 or finance its construction – admitted the journalist. He also added that the Nord Stream 2 project was for some reason not signed by the US president, „probably because Trump is aware that relations with Europe may deteriorate, because the project involves German, French and Dutch companies. ”
Polish Radio’s guest noted that the introduction of sanctions may result in the fact that some companies will not be able to do business in the USA. – It would drive a wedge between the US and Europe – said the expert. – In my opinion, gas from Nord Stream 2 will not be seen until the end of 2020, because there is still a lack of infrastructure for receiving this gas – he said.