"The Federal Network Agency will continue the certification process and check other legal conditions. In particular, network independence is not analysed by... the ministry of economy. It will be considered by the Federal Network Agency as part of the further certification process", the ministry said, adding that the regulator has four months to complete the procedure.
"To ensure the safety of supplies to the EU and member states, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline serves as a new additional capacity for natural gas imports. The additional capacity of the pipeline creates additional transportation opportunities... This is one more route along which gas gets from point A to point B: from Russia to Germany, and from here to all of Europe", the statement read.