HELSINKI, April 5. /TASS/. The Government of Finland issued a conditional permit to use its exclusive economic zone for construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the government’s office said on Thursday.

"The decision [was made] in respect of using the exclusive economic zone of Finland to issue a conditional permit to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project. The permit will be valid for 50 years and it should be renewed after that," the statement says.

This is only the first phase of issuing permits for the project, Counselor of the Finland’s Ministry of Employment and Economy Kari Klemm told TASS.