US wants EU to take break in Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project

WASHINGTON, May 6 (PRIME) -- The U.S. has suggested that Europe should take a break in construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline and estimate its influence on the energy and national security, Amos Hochstein, special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs at the U.S. Department of State, said at a briefing on Friday.

The U.S. does not believe that the pipeline project is commercial and is worried that either its plan or its consequences divide Europe, he said.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said earlier in May that the Nord Stream-2 pipeline project could have a negative impact on Eastern Europe.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that the pipeline project was purely commercial and all attempts to block it are politicized.

The Nord Stream-2 project envisages construction of two lines of a gas pipeline with a capacity of up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually, running from the Russian shore to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Russian gas giant Gazprom will hold 50% in it, while E.ON, BASF, Royal Dutch Shell, and OMV will own 10% each, and Engie will get a 9% stake.

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