Germany hopes to end pipeline row with Poland

German president Horst Koehler said yesterday he was confident a solution will be found to a row over Russian-German plans to build a Baltic Sea gas pipeline, a project fiercely opposed by Poland.

“Obvious differences in opinion concerning the gas pipeline will not only be discussed but also resolved in a constructive manner,” said Koehler at a joint press conference in Warsaw with his Polish counterpart Lech Kaczyński.

Russian energy giant Gazprom and German companies BASF and E.ON agreed in September, with the blessings of the two countries’ governments, to build a 1,200km (740-mile) natural gas pipeline underneath the Baltic Sea. The pipeline is due to come onstream in 2010.

Poland and its Baltic neighbours are opposed to the pipeline, not only because its route along the floor of the Baltic Sea deprives them of transit fees but also because they say it poses environmental risks and undermines their energy security.

“We very openly exchanged opinions on a number of important political topics. This openness is proof that relations between us are good,” said Koehler, who earlier Wednesday with Kaczyński opened an international book fair in Warsaw.

Kaczynski said relations between Poland and Germany were heading in the right direction, but added that there were differences.

“There are questions where our opinions diverge, but the general direction is positive. I personally wish relations to be as good as possible,” he said.

Among differences of opinion, the Polish president cited plans to build a centre of remembrance in Berlin for Germans who were expelled from Polish territory after World War II in reprisal for the Nazi invasion of Poland. Warsaw opposes the plans.

“We are going to continue discussing this centre, in the hope of finding a good solution,” Kaczyński said. – AFP

Source: Gulf Times