UPDATE 2: Putin calls speculations around NStream 2 unfair competition

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BERLIN, Apr 29 (PRIME) – There are many speculations around the Nord Stream 2 project, but they are an attempt of unfair competition, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

“There is a lot of political speculation surrounding this project, but I want to emphasize again that this is a purely economic project that has nothing to do with the current political situation,” he told French businessmen via a videoconference.

Minister President of Saxony Michael Kretschmer said Germany plans to launch Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as soon as possible.

"We, as Germany, are interested in continuing to receive quality gas supplies from Russia. Russia covers 40% of E.U. gas needs, this is why we want to launch new gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 fast," Kretschmer said at a forum.

Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier said that demand for Russia's natural gas will most likely increase in the years to come. "We have received stable, unaffected by any political troubles supplies of Soviet and Russian gas for 40 years, we will need this gas for several more years as a transition technology," he said.

"Demand will most likely increase in the years to come because we in Germany quit nuclear power, coal power and need more gas."

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