Germany about Nord Stream 2: Extraterritorial U.S. sanctions in conflict with international law
Article continues below
Topics: GERMANY NORD STREAM U.S.
“The German government has long had the view that sanctions with extraterritorial effects are in conflict with international law and that they’re not a contribution to advancing international cooperation,” Altmaier told reporters in Berlin on Friday. “This position hasn’t changed.”
The minister, a close Merkel ally, was asked about a Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung report that German authorities are concerned U.S. sanctions could ensnare state entities in addition to “significantly” more European companies. The report cited an internal document from Altmaier’s ministry.
The new U.S. sanctions proposals, which may include service providers for inspections and certifications, could affect “administrative activities of state agencies” tied to the pipeline, FAZ reported, citing the document.
“It would be a novelty for sanctions to target authorities of (friendly) governments,” or the government itself, FAZ cited the document as saying. It is “to be expected that the new sanctions proposals will make significantly more German and European companies targets.” ■