The German Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck is visiting Austria today, Tuesday. As countries that are particularly dependent on Russian gas supplies, Austria and Germany would like to strengthen their cooperation. Meanwhile, Habeck is still hoping for the resumption of gas supplies via the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline when its maintenance has ended.
Austria and Germany want to work together in bilateral and European cooperation on the fastest possible exit from Russian gas, the development of alternative sources and the increased expansion of renewable energy, said the office of Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) before Habeck’s arrival in Vienna. But Just Kogler can now due to a positiven Corona-Tests not participate in the program, his office announced later on Monday.
This means that only the bilateral talks with party colleague Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler will take place in the morning, the one with Kogler will be omitted. Then there will be a joint press event with the German Green politician in the Ministry of Climate Protection. Afterwards, Habeck and Gewessler visit one of the most powerful large-scale heat pumps in Central Europe in the Simmering power plant.
In the afternoon, Habeck meets Labor and Economics Minister Martin Kocher and Europe Minister Karoline Edtstadler (both ÖVP). The one-day visit concludes with a meeting with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Gas cooperation agreement between Germany and the Czech Republic
Germany and the Czech Republic only announced in Prague on Monday that they were planning a gas cooperation agreement. “We help each other with the gas supply,” said Habeck in Prague. Meanwhile, the German Economics Minister is still hoping for more gas deliveries from Russia once maintenance work on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in the Baltic Sea has been completed. “I have no secret information, neither in one direction nor in the other,” said the Green politician in an interview with the German broadcaster ARD on Monday evening. “It’s possible. There’s also a chance that it won’t happen. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Since Monday, nothing has been delivered via the last most important route for Russian natural gas to Germany. According to Nord Stream AG, the work should last until July 21. In these ten days, no gas will be transported through the pipeline to Germany, it said. The concern that gas will be scarce in autumn and winter is great – also in Italy, Austria and other European countries. (apa)