back on better times like twenty eighteen new figures show it was another record year for exports. i m stephen beard zimmer lent thanks for joining me nord stream to germany s controversial gas pipeline project with russia has cleared a critical stumbling block following a new compromise between berlin and paris france had threatened to withhold that support at a critical juncture leading to talk of a fall out between berlin and paris especially after the french president canceled a joint appearance in munich german chancellor angela merkel now says the project is back on the right path is the not the two of us is if we have indeed reached an agreement regarding the gas pipeline regulations and we are in you reached it because germany and france where together very closely and with the remaining e.u. presidency and the other member states of course you have this new you know how often i meet president how often we hold talks we cooperate daily on all important european topics and even