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Moscow does not want Nord Stream-2 politicizing — Lavrov

Nord Stream-2 fits into EU’s aim to create single energy union, the Russian foreign minister says

YEKATERINBURG, August 15. /TASS/. The Nord Stream-2 natural gas pipeline project corresponds to EU’s goals and objectives, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.

"Many "veiled movements" exist around the Nord Stream-2," the minister said. "Fewer than all want that Europe improves stability of its energy security on account of cooperation with Russia," Lavrov said.

"We are confident this project will also contribute to diversification of routes of gas deliveries to the European market for European partners interacting with Gazprom. It is in line with the European gas program and will promote the main goal of the EU - creation of open energy cooperation in Europe," he added.

"We do not want to politicize this process," the Russian foreign minister said. Many European countries are interested in smooth gas transit and the Nord Stream-2 will make possible to solve these tasks, he said.

"This gas pipeline will supply gas straightforward to the EU nations," Lavrov added.

"I believe common sense will prevail over politics here," Lavrov said.

Germany's stance on the Nord Stream-2

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in his turn, said that European companies partnered for implementation of the Nord Stream-2 should settle all the issues related to freedom of competition and consumer rights protection in the European Union, particularly in Poland.

"It is necessary to settle all the issues related to antimonopoly laws in current conditions," Steinmeier said. "This also pertains to receipt of a relevant consent from Poland," he said.

Further activities of Gazprom and its European partners in implementation of the Nord Stream-2 project will depend on decisions of EU’s antimonopoly authorities, Steinmeier added.