SCHWERIN/MUKRAN (dpa-AFX) - Opponents of the planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the island of Rügen are positive after talks with the state government. The citizens' initiatives hope that the conviction is maturing in the federal government that such an industrial facility cannot be implemented in such a "short stride," Thomas Kunstmann of the Sassnitz citizens' initiative "No LNG in Mukran" told the state parliament in Schwerin on Tuesday.

Previously, representatives of several initiatives had exchanged views with Minister President Manuela Schwesig, Economics Minister Reinhard Meyer and Environment Minister Till Backhaus (all SPD). Schwesig is now expected to make another clear reference to the protest on Rügen in the upcoming Bundesrat meeting.

At the decision-making process so far the citizen representatives criticize that an open discussion with the federation did not take place so far. During the visits of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) the residents were informed from their view only about decisions already made. Also the topic climatic protection did not play a role, so Wolfgang Kannengießer of the voter's association "for Rügen".

Schwesig also expressed her gratitude for the conversation on Tuesday, saying, "There is still a lot of doubt as to whether there is really a need for another LNG terminal." For this reason, she said, the state government had proposed that there should be a discussion with the Federal Network Agency. In addition, he said, it has been agreed "that an energy concept for the island of Rügen based on renewable energies will be developed under the leadership of Agriculture and Environment Minister Till Backhaus." The initiatives are invited to cooperate in this, he said.

Regardless of the ongoing opposition on the island, the preliminary work for the construction of the LNG terminal has begun. According to the gas network operator Gascade, a pipe-laying vessel has been reserved for the connecting pipeline needed between the port of Lubmin and Mukran, and pipes are also being surveyed and surveying vessels are in operation./ssc/DP/mis