MOSCOW, October 31. /TASS/. Denmark has taken a responsible approach by granting a permit to Nord Stream 2 AG to construct a section of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in its exclusive economic zone, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after the talks with Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Thomas Greminger.
"I think, first of all, this is a responsible approach. Yesterday, President [Vladimir] Putin at a press conference with Prime Minister of Hungary emphasized that the interests of Europe dictated this decision. And Denmark, as a European country, joined the consensus that had been formed long ago regarding Nord Stream 2 as a project that will increase the energy security of European countries," Lavrov stated.
According to him, if someone sees this as a political signal, then this signal may center around the fact that economic projects, commercial projects should be free from any politicization and should not become hostages to geopolitical games.
President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at a press conference after talks with Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban that Russia welcomes the decision of Denmark on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.
"Yes, indeed, we have become aware today that Danish authorities issued a permit for work in their exclusive economic zone. We welcome such a decision. Denmark proved to be a responsible participant in international communications, defending its interests and its sovereignty, and interests of its principal partners in Europe, which are highly keen on diversifying supplies of Russian hydrocarbons to the European market," Putin said.
The Danish Energy Agency earlier granted a permit to Nord Stream 2 AG to construct a section of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline southeast of the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, the agency reported in a press release on Wednesday. Nord Stream 2 AG, the project operator, informed that it would initiate the preparatory work and the pipelay in Denmark in coming weeks.