Russia expects the EU authorities to make decisions on laying route of Nord Stream II natural gas pipeline in the interests of European consumers, said Alexander Novak, the country's energy minister on Tuesday.
Moscow expects that decisions will be aimed at satisfying the interests of Europeans and European companies in gas supplies, Novak was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency Tass.
'So far this process is not over, the work is in progress,' Novak said as responding to a question about the position of Denmark and other countries on the gas pipeline’s laying route.
Many European countries such as Denmark, Poland and Lithuania are against the Nord Stream II, as they claim that it will increase Russian influence on European energy markets.
In November 2017, the Danish Parliament approved a law, which gives the authorities to prohibit the construction of Nord Stream II in the territorial waters of the country.
The Russian authorities said earlier that they can find alternatives in case of a Danish rejection of the existing route.
The Nord Stream II natural gas pipeline project plans to deliver Russian gas to Europe through the Baltic Sea with a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr