BERLIN, January 24. /TASS/. The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project is close to completion and all the permits for its implementation were issued in line with principles of the rule of law, Germany’s Minister of Environment Protection and Nuclear Safety Svenja Schulze says in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND).

"The decision on the pipeline construction was made many years ago. It is close to completion and received permits in accordance with principles of the rule of law," the Minister said. "If we stop the project now, we will inflict a great deal of harm, casting a doubt on reliability of decisions made on the basis of principles of the rule of law and would probably face court proceedings," Schulze noted.

Germany will need natural gas during the transitional period after the abandonment of coal-fired and nuclear power generation until it will be fully able to ensure energy supplies on account of renewable sources, the Minister said. "Germany barely has its own natural gas reserves, so we depend on import in this regard," she noted.

The Nord Stream 2 project contemplates the construction of two pipeline strings with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. To date, 94% of Nord Stream 2 has been finished.