Two power cables already connect Norway with Germany and the Netherlands respectively. From 2030, sustainable hydrogen will also flow through a pipeline to Germany.

As managing partner of Elschukom GmbH in Veilsdorf (Thuringia), Ute Poerschke is increasingly struggling with bureaucracy in Brussels. Nevertheless, she is not an EU sceptic - because as an entrepreneur and citizen, she also sees the opportunities that a united Europe offers her.

Kerstin Jorna heads the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW). The influence of EU member states on international standardisation is an important concern for her. She would like to see more experts from the member states represented on international committees.