The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project was designed to transport Russian gas to Germany, but has never been put into operation due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a hearing on November 21 at a hearing by the investigation committee of the parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state, northeastern Germany.
The former German Chancellor said he has long called for reducing Germany's dependence on Russian energy by building ports to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG).
I never understand why Germany, unlike many other countries like Belgium, does not build LNG infrastructure next to the pipeline system, said Olaf Scholz.
After serving as Chancellor of the Treasury and Deputy Prime Minister under Chancellor Angela Merkel since 2018, Olaf Scholz became German Chancellor in December 2021.
Nord Stream 2 was built during Olaf Scholz's tenure. This gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea has been opposed by Ukraine, Poland, the US and many other countries.
The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern parliamentary investigation aims to clarify whether Russia will influence the establishment of a fund to support the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project by 2021. The fund was launched amid US threats to sanction companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Former Chancellor Scholz said he had been informed by the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern government about the fund, but the federal government was largely involved in the project.
However, Olaf Scholz admitted that he sent a letter to then-US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to promote efforts to help Germany avoid sanctions.
Both Nord Stream 2 and Nord Stream - the gas pipeline built 10 years ago - are now inactive after being severely damaged in the explosions in September 2022.
Olaf Scholz is not the first former German prime minister to hold a hearing before the Schwerin investigation committee.
In a statement, Angela Merkel's predecessor, former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, said that the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines play an essential role in providing cheap Russian gas to Germany.
Sigmar Gabriel, who served as German Minister of Economy and Energy from 2013 to early 2017, and then German Foreign Minister until 2018, admitted mistakes in Germany's handling of relations with Russia.
Mr. Gabriel said that not realizing Russia's plans was "one of the biggest mistakes in Germany's foreign policy that I have been involved in".
The Nord Stream investigation is expected to be completed ahead of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state election in 2026.
