OREANDA-NEWS. Minister of State of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, Niels Annen, criticized the American senators who threatened the port authorities in the German town of Sassnitz with sanctions because of the construction of the gas pipeline Nord Stream 2.

Three US senators sent to the port operator Sassnitz GmbH a letter saying about impending sanctions by the American authorities against companies involved in supporting the construction of the pipeline. In particular, the message states that if the work continues, the port of Sassnitz will face significant financial problems.

“The US policy of extraterritorial sanctions against close partners and allies is a serious attack on our national sovereignty,” Annen said in an interview with the newspaper Handelsblatt. According to him, the tone and content of the threatening letters to German companies are unacceptable. The politician pointed out that the energy policy of Germany and Europe will be determined in Berlin and Brussels, and not in Washington.

Annen also stated that Germany will take advantage of the presidency in the European Union to “strengthen European sovereignty.”