Germany says suspends Nord Stream 2 certification

KIEV, Jan 17 (PRIME) -- Germany has suspended certification of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at a press conference on Monday.

"We, as a new German government, said in our coalition agreement that energy policies projects must meet the German and European law. This is true for Nord Stream 2, too. This project has not met the European rules fully so far, which is why, certification was suspended," the official said.

Berlin and its Western allies will take appropriate measures on Nord Stream 2 if the situation in Ukraine deteriorates, Baerbock said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow would fulfill all norms during certification and hopes that there will be no delays in the procedures.

"The procedure of its certification by the German regulators and the European Commission must not become protracted and politicized artificially," the ministry said.

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