MOSCOW, January 18. /TASS/. Russia values Germany’s support for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which Berlin regards as a commercial initiative, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a joint press conference following talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas.
"We value that the German government continues to support the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and regards it as a commercial initiative aimed at diversification of natural gas supply route and ultimately increasing the energy security of the European continent," he said. The Russian Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral trade and economic ties.
"Despite the spiral of sanctions, which is being widened on the initiative of Washington, Berlin remains our important trade and economic partner. In January-October, the volume of bilateral trade increased by more than 23% in comparison with the same period of previous year and amounted to $49.8 bln," he said.
The Nord Stream 2 project includes construction of two gas pipeline lines with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany.
The cost of construction is estimated at 9.5 bln euro, the launch of the pipeline is expected before the end of 2019.
Nord Stream 2 AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gazprom, is the project’s operator. Gazprom’s partners - Germany’s Wintershall and Uniper, Austria’s OMV, France’s Engie and Royal Dutch Shell (the UK Britain and the Netherlands) are to finance 50% of the project.