US, several EU states continue to oppose Nord Stream 2: Russian FM

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Moscow, Sep 16 (IANS) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that despite the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, several European Union (EU) member states and the US continue to aggressively oppose the project.

"So much criticism has been raised against this pipeline and it is incomprehensible why this has been the case," Lavrov said at a press conference on Wednesday following a Collective Security Treaty Organization meeting in Dushanbe, according to a statement published by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Most of this criticism comes from the US, which claims the pipeline could "undermine Europe's energy security" Xinhua news agency quoted the Minister as saying.

Lavrov explained that Germany is actively involved in the project and has confirmed its commitment to it.

He added that with the completion of all construction work, Russia is now waiting to obtain all necessary permits from the German regulator.

The EU is criticizing Russia for not being willing to communicate with the bloc as a whole, however, it is the EU itself that has persistently destroyed relations with Russia at all levels, Lavrov said.

"We will communicate with those who are willing to do so," he added.

Russia's gas giant Gazprom announced the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline construction on September 10.

The 1,230-km gas pipeline would bring 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea.

The US has long claimed that the Nord Stream 2 is a geopolitical manoeuver by Moscow that will undermine Ukraine's role in transiting energy to Europe and increase European dependence on Russian gas.

But Germany and Russia have insisted that the project is purely commercial.

--IANS

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