The Austrian authorities are in favor of launching the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and do not intend to refuse to participate in this project, as some other countries want from Vienna. This was stated by the Minister of Digitalization and Economy of the Alpine Republic, Margarete Schramböck, on the air of the ORF-2 TV channel.

“I know that there are countries that want Austria to abandon Nord Stream 2 altogether,” Schramböck said, adding that neither she nor the head of the republic’s Foreign Ministry intend to give in to this pressure. According to the minister, her country has invested there are a lot of funds for this project (it is in second place after Germany in terms of investment volumes.) "The topic of gas is very important for us," Schramböck emphasized.

She also noted that the EU intends to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 if Russia, as they say in the West, attacks Ukraine. “But we all hope that there will be no invasion. If there is no invasion, Nord Stream 2, of course, should be put into operation,” Schramböck said. At the same time, she drew attention to the fact that these possible sanctions will not affect the existing gas supplies from Russia to Europe.

"The EU is talking about sanctions if they are needed, but Austria is ready to support the search for dialogue," the minister added, referring to tensions around Ukraine.

bbabo.Net