Germany appoints special rep for Ukraine gas transit

That's according to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Ukrinform reports with reference to Deutsche Welle.

With this appointment, the German government is fulfilling its obligations under the agreement with the United States to resolve the dispute over Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

Waldersee had already served as the German government's representative for gas transit to Ukraine in 2019, when negotiations were underway to extend the gas transit contract.

The ministry said in a statement that the German government would "advocate the extension of the gas transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia by up to ten years" to ensure gas transit after the end of the current contract, which expires on December 31, 2024.

The special representative will have to mediate on both sides and also vis-a-vis the EU Commission, the United States and third countries in order to achieve an extension of the gas transit contract, which will be in the interests of all parties. His tasks will include, among other things, conducting bilateral talks, exploring compromise lines and involving third countries. The special representative will be organisationally attached to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and energy. However, he will also work closely with the Federal Foreign Office.

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