Maas said that European energy policy is determined in Europe and not in Washington. “We totally reject the extraterritorial sanctions. In recent weeks, the Federal government has conducted numerous negotiations with the United States… We have clearly stated our position. We consider it incorrect to impose sanctions between the partners”, – said the head of the German foreign Ministry.
the German foreign Ministry recalled that the new sanctions will affect natural and legal persons involved in the financing, construction, pipe laying or the provision of related services.
the New package of American sanctions, has not found understanding with representatives of German business. The Chairman of the East German economic Committee Oliver Hermes stated that announced by U.S. Secretary of state additional sanctions measures are essentially blackmail.
“the immediate Threat of US sanctions against European companies involved in the project “Northern stream – 2″, shows incredibly low levels of the transatlantic relationship. Almost overnight and without consultation with European allies, the existing exceptions are cancelled, and about 120 companies from twelve European countries are under direct threat of US sanctions,” – said in published on the Committee’s website the message of Hermes.
He also noted that there have been made investments in the amount of twelve billion euros are at stake. “All European gas consumers should expect additional annual costs amounting to four billion euros, since this is an unprecedented U.S. intervention in the European energy sovereignty will lead to supply shortages and consequently to excessive prices,” warns Oliver Hermes.
In East German economic Committee is convinced that the United States violate free and fair competition and use of sanctions to advance their economic interests. “The EU has no other choice but to care to respond to the extortion attempt. As already announced, the EU Commission should reflect all the attacks on their sovereignty from outside and quickly provide hard set of responses,” he concluded Hermes, adding that the U.S. sanctions “absolutely unacceptable”.
