Co-chairman of the Greens, Annalena Berbock, who will head the German Foreign Ministry in the new government, avoided answering the question of whether she intends to obstruct the commissioning of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. “My criticism of the project is well known and stemmed from both geostrategic and energy security considerations,” Berbock said in an interview with Der Spiegel.
“In any case, the situation is such that the gas pipeline still cannot be put into operation. The Federal Network Agency has so far suspended the certification process, “added the new head of the FRG Foreign Ministry. Thus, Berbock did not clarify whether she intends to seek the refusal of the new government of Germany to operate the gas pipeline.
Answering the question of whether Western countries are in a state of cold war with Russia and China, the politician noted that she “prefers not to adapt the old categories to the new geopolitical realities.” According to her, we are talking about “systemic rivalry between the West and authoritarian regimes.” “We must make every effort to protect the international order … the principles of international law as well as human rights,” said Berbock. “For a long time we have been talking not only about military threats, but also about hybrid forms of aggression,” summed up the future head of the German Foreign Ministry.
The position of the co-chairman of the Greens on the issue of Belarus turned out to be quite remarkable. The politician did not rule out the continuation of the dialogue with the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, but at the same time declared the need for further expansion of sanctions. “You cannot allow dictators to blackmail yourself. Therefore, it is right to toughen sanctions and continue to put pressure on the Lukashenka regime. At the same time, diplomacy also means a constant striving for dialogue, ”said Berbock.
Recall that a few weeks earlier it was representatives of the Green Party who criticized the former German Chancellor Angela Merkel for telephone conversations with Alexander Lukashenko. “The European Union does not recognize Lukashenka as a legitimate president, but Merkel has completely canceled this out,” a Green’s foreign policy spokesman said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio. Omid Nuripur. “Without dialogue it is impossible to conduct foreign policy, but it was not the Federal Chancellor who should have talked to Lukashenko,” commented on the position of her party colleague Annalena Berbock.
As for the future foreign policy of the new government of Germany, the co-chair of the Greens declared Germany’s unconditional commitment to the European Union. At the same time, Berbock especially emphasized the role of the so-called. “Weimar Triangle” – the Committee for the Development of German-French-Polish Cooperation – and called for the “revival” of this consultative forum. “Warsaw, Berlin and Paris play a decisive role in Europe,” said Berbock. “And although we have a lot of controversial issues with the Polish government, it is still clear: we need close cooperation,” the future foreign minister stressed.
At the same time, the politician did not criticize Warsaw’s methods of containing refugees at the Polish-Belarusian border. “Poland needs European solidarity. It is important that Berlin and Warsaw act together, ”concluded Berbock.
EADaily recalls that the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the Free Democratic Party of Germany (FDP) and the Green Party presented on Wednesday, November 24, the text of the coalition agreement, which stipulated that a representative of the party would take the post of Foreign Minister of Germany in the new government “Green”. On Thursday, November 25, the party leadership confirmed that Annalena Berbock would become Germany’s new foreign minister. The politician is known for his harsh stance towards Russia, China, and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. In late October, Berbock spoke out in favor of refusing to issue a license to operate Nord Stream 2, accusing Russia of “playing poker” on gas issues.
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