Unveiling the Pipeline Puzzle: Ex-Minister Reveals Insights on Nord Stream 2 and the Foundation
Ex-Cabinet Member Affirms Backing for Nord Stream 2 Project and Associated Foundation - Advocated for Nord Stream 2 and the Foundation's Causes
From the get-go, there were no reservations about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the state government during its construction, as claimed by a former high-ranking member. Lorenz Caffier, a previous interior minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, testified in the Schwerin state parliament's investigative committee.
Caffier maintained that Nord Stream 2 was considered essential for a stable energy supply and competitive pricing. At least in 2019, 2020 and prior years, the project's benevolence went unchallenged within the state government.
Caffier's Perspective: Questioning the pipeline's value was a rarity
In the tight-knit circle of German interior ministers, the utility of the project was also generally unquestioned. "Skepticism from new federal states was somewhat distinct from that of old federal states," he admitted. "However, on the subject of the pipeline, everyone agreed on its value."
When the USA threatened to impose sanctions on companies involved in the development of Nord Stream 2 in the summer of 2020, the foundation hypothesis emerged. The primary objective was to ensure the pipeline's completion and protect the involved parties from being left holding the bill. This was evident to everyone, according to Caffier.
State Secretary's Testimony
Caffier offered little insight regarding the inception of the Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as he departed from the role in November 2020. Initiated by the state parliament at the start of 2021, it ensured the pipeline's completion – albeit temporarily, as the pipeline never actually went into operation due to the Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022.
The former state secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Ina-Maria Ulbrich, testified as the second witness on Friday. In this capacity, she was also the chairwoman of the supervisory board of the Sassnitz-Mukran ferry port. She expressed concerns about falling prey to US sanctions given the port's role in handling materials for pipeline construction. The idea of a foundation seemed appealing for striking deals with the foundation rather than with Nord Stream 2, she explained.
The foundation remains active, working on climate and environmental projects.
- Nord Stream 2
- Pipeline
- Lorenz Caffier
- Committee
- Ukraine
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Schwerin
- Russia
- Germany
- Baltic Sea
- Year of construction
- Climate
- CDU
- Investigative committee
Enrichment Insights:
The Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, established by the state itself where the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was scheduled to end in Germany, aimed to facilitate the pipeline's completion by providing financial support to mitigate potential environmental impacts and manage local opposition[1]. The foundation was linked to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as it targeted local environmental concerns and supported projects to offset negative environmental effects[1][2]. Environmental groups, such as the Environmental Action Germany (DUH), accused the state government of using the foundation to protect the pipeline without fully disclosing details about the foundation's activities, leading to transparency issues and legal disputes[1]. Ultimately, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was completed but never operational due to geopolitical tensions and sanctions, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022[3][4]. Despite this, the foundation continued its work on projects in the climate and environmental sector.
- Lorenz Caffier, the former interior minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, testified that Nord Stream 2 was viewed as essential for a stable energy supply and competitive pricing within the state government during its construction.
- The Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, initiated by the state parliament at the start of 2021, was established to facilitate the Nord Stream 2 pipeline's completion by providing financial support, mitigating potential environmental impacts, and managing local opposition.
- Environmental groups, such as the Environmental Action Germany (DUH), accused the state government of using the foundation to protect the Nord Stream 2 pipeline without fully disclosing details about the foundation's activities, resulting in transparency issues and legal disputes.
