Soltz and Sanchez are in favor of building the MidCat pipeline

The construction of the MidCAt natural gas pipeline from Spain to France by 2025 was committed last Wednesday night by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who also expressed their commitment to European solidarity in dealing with the energy crisis. and ensuring “affordable energy”. The two leaders also reaffirmed that they will continue to support Ukraine financially and militarily.

In the context of the joint consultations of the Spanish and German governments in the city of La Coruña, the first since 2013, Olaf Solz and Pedro Sanchez stressed the need to immediately implement the plan for the MidCat pipeline (short for Midi-Catalonia ), which had been discontinued in 2019, due to the possible environmental impacts and the limited economic interest at the time.

“I strongly support the creation of this connection,” said Mr. Soltz, pointing out that in the future hydrogen could also be transported through the same pipeline.

“We want the project to be implemented with (…) the cooperation of France,” the chancellor continued and, commenting on information that Paris does not want the project to be completed, said that he has not formed such an impression.

“We do not have the impression that he has been excluded. Some connections may not initially be advantageous, but they can develop into such,” explained Olaf Scholz, who met with French President Emmanuel Macron as recently as Monday in Berlin.

For his part, Mr. Sanchez noted that it is a “big contradiction” that Spain and Portugal are “energy islands”, referring to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals that exist in his country, but are cut off from the rest of Europe due to lack of pipelines.

“This is why the Iberian Peninsula is asking to be connected to Europe. It would be good for France, good for Germany, good for Europe. It would reassure all Europeans in the face of a situation, as there would be more alternative sources of energy,” added the Spanish Prime Minister.

The MidCat pipeline will cross the Pyrenees, from Barcelona to the connection with the French network in the south-east of the country. The natural gas that would flow north through the pipeline could come from Spain and Portugal, from different sources, as the two countries have a total of seven LNG terminals. In addition, there are two pipelines to Algeria. The pipeline has been completed to a point 106 kilometers before the Spanish border. However, 120 kilometers are missing on the French side.

Referring to the effort to contain energy prices, the two leaders pledged European solidarity. “Ensuring affordable energy is a very important concern of our two governments,” assured Mr. Scholz, while Mr. Sanchez expressed his “full sympathy and understanding” of the situation in Germany.

“We respect the decision of the German government (including on national support measures for individuals and businesses, which caused reactions in the EU). We must have understanding for the situation in Germany, which sees its economy, its industry and German homes more affected by the war,” continued the Spanish Prime Minister.

Berlin reduced its dependence on Russian energy sources in record time and “due to the size of the German economy, everyone in Europe has an interest in Germany doing well”, he stressed, while also pointing out that Europe, after the pandemic of the new of the coronavirus, it has been taught that national and European responses are equally important in crises.

Mr Solz defended his government’s measures – notably the €200bn bailout plan – pointing out that other EU member states had taken similar steps, while referring to Berlin’s decision to expand pipelines and install LNG terminals in order to , as he said, to ensure not only the German, but also the European energy supply. “If we consider the size of the German economy, Berlin’s plan is comparable to decisions made in other countries,” he insisted.

On the war in Ukraine, the chancellor said they agreed with Mr. Sanchez to continue financial and military support for Kiev.

“Madrid and Berlin share the conviction that we want to leave behind the era of imperialism and the dark hours of the 20th century,” summed up the Spanish prime minister and underlined that his country has delivered 300 tons of military supplies to Ukraine, speaking of ” unprecedented feat’ and ‘historic efforts’ by the partners.

The two leaders, however, declined to answer a question about the possible delivery of Leopard 2 tanks, while Mr Scholz was quick to stress the contribution of German weapons systems to recent military successes by Ukrainian forces and reiterate that Germany will not go it alone. on the issue of arms delivery, but only in cooperation with its allies.

In the summer Spain considered sending 40 Leopard 2 A4 tanks, but in August Defense Minister Margarita Robles said the tanks were in “absolutely hopeless condition” and would not help.

Mr Solz was accompanied to Spain by eight federal government ministers and the two-day talks will focus on security and defense policy, economic and energy cooperation and cooperation in the fields of research and education.

RES-EMP

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