A road sign directs traffic toward the Nord Stream 2 gas line landfall facility entrance, in Lubmin, Germany, on September 10, 2020. (Photo by Reuters)
Russia believes that it wont face any failure regarding the certifications for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and the project will eventually be launched, a top Russian official has told RBC media.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak reiterated on Wednesday that his government does not consider any "plan B" regarding the pipeline project and assured that "it will be launched in line with the timings, set for certification."
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is a vast network of offshore natural gas pipelines in Europe, running under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. Earlier in September, the construction of the pipeline was completed but it lays idle, awaiting regulatory approval from Berlin and Brussels.
The required certification is expected to be granted in the second half of 2022, while Russia hopes no new requirements for the project will be put forward in the meantime.
European governments say the gas link is vital to secure Europes energy supplies, with gas prices surging in the continent in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Handelsblatt columnist Jurgen Flauger raised the alarm over Germanys insufficient gas supplies if there appears any possible disruption of the pipeline project.
He said that Germany "is pulling out of nuclear energy" and the country, "more than many other European nations," now needs large proportion of gas from Russia.
Flauger warned that if the project is blocked, Moscow may look for new costumers in Asia and ignore the West, a policy that is not desired by Germany.
"Berlin should do everything it can to prevent the dispute over Nord Stream 2 from escalating further," the author stressed, recalling that Russia followed gas-related regulations with respect to Western customers even during the Cold War.
The warnings came in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putins remarks that Western attempts to block the Nord Stream 2 is foolish as the project could provide relief to the European gas market, which has been grappling with tight supplies and soaring prices.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/25376
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