Kremlin: Nord Stream-2 partners consistent in finishing project

MOSCOW, Apr 8 (PRIME) -- Russia’s partners in construction of the Nord Stream-2 natural gas pipeline are firm in their intention to finish the project, presidential spokesman Dmitry Paskov told reporters on Thursday.

“We can see that the states, which are Russia’s partners in the project, are consistent enough in their intention to finalize the project and to launch it,” he said.

Peskov also said that the U.S.’ plan to appoint a special envoy for the Nord Stream-2 pipeline can be seen as meddling in foreign affairs, because the project is not relevant to the state.

“The project is crucial for the European energy security and for energy supply to Europe, but, of course, such special envoys for a project that has nothing to do with the United States and is located on another continent speak volumes about what is called meddling in internal affairs, meddling in the economic interests of other states,” he said.

On Wednesday, Politico news website reported citing U.S. officials that the White House was discussing appointment of a special envoy to head negotiations on termination of the project.

The Nord Stream-2 project envisages construction of two lines of a natural gas pipeline with an annual capacity of up to 55 billion cubic meters, running from the Russian shore to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Russian gas giant Gazprom is implementing the project together with Germany’s E.ON and BASF, Royal Dutch Shell, Austria’s OMV, and France’s Engie.

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