States Engaged in Nord Stream-2 to Comply With All EU Laws - Spokeswoman

MOSCOW (Sputnik), Natalia Portyakova — On Thursday, Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) objected to the establishment of a joint venture for the Nord Stream-2 project. It clarified that the UOKiK objection “does not determine the decision that is eventually issued” and issued a 14-day appeal deadline.

"As for the implementation of projects like Nord Stream 2, it is based on a clear set of established laws, following the rule of law. The authorities of the countries under whose jurisdiction the project falls (FI, SE, DK, DE, RU) will ensure full compliance with applicable EU law, national legislation and international conventions," Markela Dedopoulos said, speaking about political considerations in Denmark regarding the participation in the project.

She added that Nord Stream was expected to comply with all applicable laws, including the European Union's Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and Convention on environmental impact assessment in a trans-boundary context.

The Nord Stream 2 project aims to deliver 55 billion cubic meters of Russian natural gas a year to the European Union across the Baltic Sea to Germany, bypassing Ukraine and the Baltic nations. The gas pipeline project plans to use the original Nord Stream pipeline for 86-percent of the route before branching off. Denmark is expected to join the project in 2017.

While some EU member states, such as Poland and Lithuania, are opposed to the northern gas pipeline due to concerns over increased energy dependence on Russia, Germany reaffirmed its interest in the project in late 2015, saying that it would bring more benefits for EU members and provide energy safety and security to the 28-nation bloc.

Denmark, which economic zone is crossed by the pipeline, is expected to officially join the gas pipeline project in 2017.