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European Commission concerned of Nord Stream-2 impact on Ukraine’s gas transit — official

The impact of Nord Stream on stability of supplies to the European Union and the diversification strategy is also of concern

BRUSSELS, April 5. /TASS/. The European Commission (EC) is concerned of Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline impact on stability of supplies to the European Union, the diversification strategy and Ukrainian gas transit, EC spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said on Tuesday after meeting of EU Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete with Managing Director of Nord Stream AG Matthias Warning and Chairman of the Shareholders’ Committee of Nord Stream AG and former Chancellor of Germany Gerhard Schroeder.

"Commissioner Arias Cañete highlighted the Commission's concern as regards the impact of the project on security of supply, the EU's diversification strategy, and the future of Ukrainian transit in particular," Itkonen said.

"Both sides exchanged their views on Nord Stream-2," the spokesperson said. "From the European Commission's point of view there are no new developments to announce. Both sides agreed to continue talks," Itkonen added.

"The Commission remains in touch with the German National Regulatory Authority (Bundesnetzagentur) to find out more about the details of the project. On that basis the Commission will draw its conclusions on the extent to which EU law applies to the Nord Stream 2 project and the next steps to be taken by the Commission," Itkonen said.

Nord Stream-2 is the construction project of the natural gas pipeline with the capacity of 55 bln cubic meters from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea. The route and the entry point to the German gas transport system in Greifswald are intended to be the same as for the first Nord Stream gas pipeline launched in 2011.

The project will be implemented by the joint project company, where Gazprom will hold 51%, E.ON, Shell, OMV and BASF / Wintershall - 10% each, and Engie - 9%.