Nord Stream 2 project is just about business, not politics – Sergei Ivanov
Sergei Ivanov, Special Representative of RF President for Nature Protection, Environment and Transport, is ready to discuss the issue of building Nord Stream 2 pipeline at the meeting with Anders Samuelsen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, if it is brought up by the Danish side. IAA PortNews correspondent says this was announced by Sergei Ivanov at the briefing in the framework of the IV International Arctic Forum ‘Arctic – Territory of Dialogue’ in Arkhangelsk (29-30 March 2017).
“Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs had asked for a meeting with me and I willingly answered that request. If the issue of Nord Stream 2 is touched on, I will remind what has been stated hundreds of times: this project has nothing to do with the politics, it is just about business,” emphasized Sergei Ivanov.
According to Special Presidential Representative, “today, it can be said for certain that European companies are interested in our project, together with them we are ready to embark on construction of the so-called second string (which is actually the third and the forth ones) of the Nord Stream”.
Under the project, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is to run along the Nord Stream 1 across the economic zone of Denmark. “Of course, it’s up to the Danish authorities to decide, but when judging with disregard for farfetched political pretexts, we see that many years of Nord Stream 1 existence brought no damage to the environment,” explained the official.
He emphasized that the construction of Nord Stream 2, just like Nord Stream 1, is only possible after execution of proper expert examination and obtaining of environmental approvals from all ad hoc bodies of countries involved in the project: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Russia.
“In my opinion, European consumers will only win with it. It is a reliable and environmentally friendly way to deliver Russian gas”, added Sergei Ivanov.