German Vice Chancellor Habeck opposed to resuming Nord Stream 2 project

BERLIN. July 22 (Interfax) - German Vice Chancellor and Economic Affairs and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck said in an interview with the ZDF television that he hopes Germany would be able to handle the energy crisis without resuming the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.

The launch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is not an option for settling the problem, as it would make Germany even more dependent on Russian gas, Habeck said. The Germans have been successful in overcoming the crisis thus far, "and we can be very proud of that," he said.

Despite very high prices, huge inflation, and energy supply issues, "the people have united and will be looking for a solution" to the problems, he said.

Habeck also spoke in favor of the European Commission's plan of reducing gas consumption, which is opposed by a number of EU members, and said he hopes these countries "will understand how much the continent is intertwined."

Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters during his recent visit to Tehran that he told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that "we have another ready route, Nord Stream 2. It can be launched. But it is not being launched."

The European Commission presented a plan on July 20, according to which EU member states would have to take measures starting August 1 to reduce gas consumption by 15% by March 1, 2023.