Putin-Merkel Summit Reaffirms Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Construction

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in Moscow on the 11th (local time) to discuss international issues including Libya, Syria, Iran, Ukraine, as well as the Nord Stream-2 pipeline project.

Chancellor Merkel, invited by President Putin, made a working visit to Russia for one day and held talks for about three and a half hours. After the summit, President Putin and Chancellor Merkel held a joint press conference, stating that they discussed a wide range of international issues.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Regarding the situation in Libya, President Putin said, "It is important to end the military confrontation," and added, "We expect the parties involved in the Libyan civil war to heed the request from Russia and Turkey to observe a ceasefire starting at midnight on the 12th." Chancellor Merkel expressed hope that "the efforts by Russia and Turkey to resolve the Libyan conflict will succeed," and announced that Germany will soon hold an international conference in Berlin to address the Libyan issue.

Both sides also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation issues, including the laying of the new gas pipeline 'Nord (Northern) Stream-2' connecting western Russia and Germany.

President Putin commented on the delays in the construction of Nord Stream-2 due to US sanctions, saying, "Russia will be able to complete the pipeline independently without external partners," and predicted, "Although completion will be delayed by a few months, it will be finished and operational by the end of this year or the first quarter of next year."

Earlier last month, US President Donald Trump signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes sanctions against companies participating in the Nord Stream-2 project, a 1,200 km natural gas transport pipeline. The Swiss company 'Allseas,' which was conducting underwater pipeline construction, suspended its participation due to concerns over US sanctions.

Germany and other European Union (EU) countries protested, stating that sanctions were being imposed on a legitimate project.

Chancellor Merkel said, "We must push the Nord Stream-2 project through to the end," and added, "Germany and other European countries will benefit from the Nord Stream project." She also expressed her opposition to economic sanctions targeting project participants.