"Germany's ex-chancellor Gerhard Schröder on Friday slammed a state parliamentary inquiry into the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia as 'ridiculous' and said he did not regret his role in its controversial construction. The inquiry, at the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania regional parliament, is looking into political influence around construction of the pipeline between Russia and Germany and possible Russian interventions in favour of the project. The investigation focuses on the state's Climate Protection Foundation that was allegedly used to shield companies involved in building it from US sanctions."
"Giving evidence via video link, and citing ill health after a diagnosis for burnout, Schröder, 81, told the panel that it had been an "extremely sensible decision" for the state to consent to the creation of the foundation. Nord Stream 2 AG, the company backing the pipeline project, contributed about €20 million to the foundation, Schröder said, adding that the foundation "served to advance the project without fear of US sanctions"."
"Germany needed natural gas "at reasonable prices", Schröder said, and he saw no reason to break with the "proven cooperation" that his predecessors had established with Russia when it came to energy supply. Schröder, of Germany's Social Democrats party, repeatedly said that he could not remember key details, including when it came to his discussions with Manuela Schwesig, state premier of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania."
A state parliamentary inquiry in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is investigating political influence and potential Russian interventions tied to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline's construction. The inquiry centers on a state Climate Protection Foundation allegedly used to shield companies involved in the project from US sanctions. Gerhard Schröder, citing ill health, defended the foundation's creation as an "extremely sensible decision" and said Nord Stream 2 AG contributed about €20 million to it. Schröder insisted Germany needed natural gas at reasonable prices and saw no reason to abandon established energy cooperation with Russia, while he repeatedly said he could not recall key discussion details.
Read at The Local Germany
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