The Franco-German alliance is getting ready for the next winter without methane from Russia. Paris makes a pledge of "energetic unity" in Berlin, but at the same time, they decide to permanently shut down the MidCat pipeline with Spain.
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| [Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz] |
The energy crisis that was brought on by Russia's decision to cease supplying methane has rekindled the historic partnership between France and Germany, with the two largest economies in the EU resolving to support and assist one another. Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, and Emmanuel Macron, the head of the Elysée, have in fact signed a treaty that would ensure the mutual help of the two nations "in case of necessity," as indicated by the French president. This agreement was made between the two capitals of Berlin and Paris. Under the terms of the agreement, France would provide gas to Germany, and in exchange, Germany will provide energy to the Hexagon.
At the conclusion of a videoconference between Scholz and Macron, an announcement of the agreement was made. Macron said at a news conference that "in the coming weeks," we will create the required connections in order to be able to send gas to Germany. "In the coming weeks," On the other hand, "Germany is likewise committed to electrical solidarity with France," and it will provide Paris with its power to assist with the city's consumption "during peak conditions."
As a result of Russia's decision to suspend shipments of methane via the Nord Stream gas pipeline, the country with the strongest economy in the Eurozone runs the danger of being unable to get the essential raw material needed to generate energy. On the other hand, France is able to depend on the energy provided by dozens of nuclear power plants and also brags about having attained "92-93% of the capacity" of gas storage. This is in addition to being able to count on the energy produced by nuclear power plants. An escort that was put together "in ahead of our expectations" and which, according to Macron, should ensure that the nation would weather the winter without having to resort to limiting any of its resources.
The leader of the Elysée has officially reaffirmed France's well-known resistance to the MidCat gas pipeline project, which, according to the initial concept, was supposed to link the Iberian Peninsula to Germany through French territory. The project has been controversial since since it was first proposed. The project, which dates back to the previous decade, was never completed not just because of worries over the preservation of the environment, but also and most importantly because France never publicly backed it. Berlin has come back to ask for the construction of the gas pipeline in order to be able to buy gas directly from Spain. This is a prospect that, for obvious reasons, also pleases Madrid. The cutting of Russian gas in reaction to EU sanctions for the war in Ukraine has caused Berlin to ask for the construction of the gas pipeline. On the other hand, according to Macron, "there is no proof of the necessity" to construct the new gas pipeline since in Europe "we need more power connections" rather than gas infrastructure "whose implications, in particular on the environment, are not yet fully understood."