OREANDA-NEWS. The German business association welcomes Chancellor Angela Merkel's discussion of the implementation of the agreement with the United States on Nord Stream 2 during her visits to Moscow and Kiev, Oliver Hermes, head of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy, said on Friday.

“We welcome the fact that at the end of her term of office the Chancellor led to a detente of the conflict with the United States over Nord Stream 2 and made the implementation of the relevant agreements a top priority during her visits to Moscow and Kiev. Without Russia, the solution of many European and international problems is unrealistic, regardless of whether they relate to environmental, security or economic issues, "- said Hermes.

"Both Nord Stream 2 and the capacity of the Ukrainian gas transmission network are necessary to securely supply Europe with energy until the final phase-out of fossil fuels in 2050. Thus, we see a solid business basis for the extension of the Russian-Ukrainian gas transit agreement beyond 2024. The gradual inclusion of hydrogen may be part of plans for the future. The goal should be to turn the existing energy partnership with Russia and Ukraine into a climate partnership. The compromise found gives Russia and Ukraine a long-term perspective and, therefore, should play an active role in its implementation, "he added ...

The Eastern Committee of the German Economy unites companies and enterprises of the Federal Republic of Germany that operate in Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet space.

Earlier, Germany and the United States published a joint statement, which refers to measures to support Ukraine, European energy security and common goals to protect the climate. It formulates a number of conditions for the operation of Nord Stream 2.