German government in talks on asset disclosure for sanctioned persons - German finance minister

Record ID: 1671336

  • Title: German government in talks on asset disclosure for sanctioned persons - German finance minister
  • Date: 4th May 2022
  • Summary: GRANSEE, GERMANY (MAY 4, 2022) (REUTERS FOR CORONA POOL) GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ, ECONOMY MINISTER ROBERT HABECK AND FINANCE MINISTER CHRISTIAN LINDNER ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT GUEST HOUSE SCHLOSS MESEBERG CASTLE NEAR BERLIN CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, OLAF SCHOLZ, SAYING: "It is also clear that this change means that this brutal war of aggression against Ukraine has been completely miscalculated by Putin. Because what he gets is a stronger NATO, is the stronger organisation of security, also in the eastern countries of the NATO area. What he has got is a united European Union and many countries in the world acting together; democracies that have organised a comprehensive package of sanctions to make Russia understand that it should end this war. A package of sanctions that will significantly affect Russia's economic development opportunities." GOVERNMENT HELICOPTER (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, OLAF SCHOLZ, SAYING: "And of course, we are continuing with all our intensive legislative projects that are now necessary so that we can achieve the independence from fossil imports from Russia that we are striving for. This includes, for example, the LNG, the LNG Acceleration Act - the law that we have thoroughly discussed with each other again, and in regard to which we will also bring about a final decision in the cabinet by Monday, so that it can be discussed in the parliamentary groups and can become a law before the summer break." (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER, CHRISTIAN LINDNER, SAYING: "But there is also a new instrument that is being discussed, which we are now examining within the cabinet. We are examining whether those who are on the sanctions list can be legally obliged to disclose their assets in Germany. This legal obligation of listed persons would then also be reinforced by fines or criminal law." HABECK, SCHOLZ AND LINDNER LISTENING TO QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN ECONOMY MINISTER, ROBERT HABECK, SAYING: "The transition period is long enough for us to take all precautions to find alternatives to Russian oil in Germany." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN ECONOMY MINISTER, ROBERT HABECK, SAYING: "If other countries have either not worked that hard for it or have other dependencies, then the latter is fine. Of course, what we ourselves have engaged with also applies to other countries. And it is useless if economies collapse. But of course, I also expect other countries to intensify their efforts, namely in the European association, to establish independence in the solidarity of the European states." CAMERA LENS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN ECONOMY MINISTER, ROBERT HABECK, SAYING: "Many refugees from Ukraine are coming to us and we need to provide them with good care and accommodation, but also to integrate them into the labour market. That is, of course, the most immediate task. But we also offer jobs to those who are fleeing or have already fled Russia, who have left the country in the face of Putin's regime, or who no longer want to return to the country. In other words, those who come to us from Russia should also be addressed consciously. We will need them in Germany." VARIOUS OF SCHOLZ, HABECK UND LINDNER LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 18th May 2022 12:29
  • Keywords: LNG Russia Ukraine crisis cabinet meeting oil embargo sanctions
  • Location: GRANSEE, GERMANY
  • City: GRANSEE, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001564404052022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said the government is looking into whether sanctioned persons could be legally obligated to disclose what assets they have in Germany.
    A new sanctions instrument to this effect is currently being discussed, said Lindner on Wednesday (May 4) during a joint news conference with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Economy Minister Robert Habeck after a two-day cabinet meeting at the government's guest house Schloss Meseberg Castle near Berlin.
    Habeck commented on the European Union preparing an embargo on Russian oil, saying that a proposal by the EU Commission to ban the import of Russian oil to the bloc gives Germany ample time to find alternative supplies for its Rosneft-operated refinery in Schwedt.
    Habeck said that while Germany was taking steps to arrange alternative oil shipments to Schwedt, he could not rule out shortages in the areas it supplies, which include Berlin and eastern regions.
    Habeck also underlined that the EU's proposal of a longer period to implement the embargo for Hungary was fine with Germany it was protecting their economies from collapsing.
    "But of course, I also expect other countries to intensify their efforts, namely in the European association, to establish independence in the solidarity of the European states," he added.
    (Production: Oliver Ellrodt, Daria Shamanova, Ulrike Heil)
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