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Finland won’t change its stance on Nord Stream 2 pipeline, envoy says

On April 5, the government of Finland issued a conditional permit to use its exclusive economic zone for construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. Finland is not going to change its stance on the construction of Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, Finnish Ambassador to Russia Mikko Hautala told TASS.

He reiterated that Finland had granted permit to Nord Stream 2 AG, the project’s operator, to use its exclusive economic zone for the construction of the pipeline.

"We proceed from the fact that Finland is a law-governed state. We have national legislation, we also rely on the international law, and we will act only on the basis of the existing laws. I do not see any changes in this issue. "

Read also

Finland gives conditional authorization to use its economic zone for Nord Stream 2

Hautala also stressed that Finland adheres to the requirements of the law, rather than trying to be in the wake of European solidarity.

"There is European solidarity, but there are laws. Finland's policy in this respect is determined by laws, I do not see any changes in this issue, "he said.

On April 5, the government of Finland issued a conditional permit to use its exclusive economic zone for construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

This is only the first stage of issuing permits for the project, Counselor of the Finland’s Ministry of Employment and Economy Kari Klemm told TASS. To start any construction work Russia has to obtain one more permit for the construction in the Finnish waters. The second permit is likely to be granted in the coming weeks.

In Germany, Nord Stream 2 AG has received the whole package of permits. It is yet to complete same procedures in Sweden, Denmark and Russia.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is expected to come into service at the end of 2019. The pipeline is set to run from the Russian coast along the Baltic Sea bed to the German shore. Each of the pipeline’s two stretches will have a capacity of 27.5 bln cubic meters. The new pipeline will double the capacity of the first stretch and will basically follow its route.

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Oil & Gas Nord Stream

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