Naftogaz of Ukraine wants to partake in N Stream 2 certification

KIEV, Oct 18 (PRIME) -- State energy holding Naftogaz of Ukraine has filed a request for participation in certification of Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, CEO Yury Vitrenko said in a news briefing on Monday.

“As a national company, Naftogaz … has filed a request for participation in the process of certification of the Nord Stream 2 operator by the German regulator, the Federal Network Agency,” he said.

Naftogaz thinks that certification of the operator will hurt competition on the German and European markets. It bears risks for the security of Ukraine and of the region, and will hurt Ukraine’s economy, he said.

Vitrenko also said that Poland’s PGNiG had filed a similar request. Naftogaz is unable to join it, but the two companies coordinate their actions, he said.

Certification of Nord Stream 2 AG as an independent operator will ensure that the Nord Stream 2 project complies with the E.U. Gas Directive. First, the Federal Network Agency is to draft a ruling, and then the European Commission is to revise it. The process could take several months.

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