The German-Russian consortium planning to build a 1,100 kilometre gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea has answered criticism from the Swedish government with the claim that the currently planned route offers the 'best solution' considering all the technical, environmental and economic factors of the project.
Nord Stream said the route has been chosen with great attention to the ecological challenges as well as the specific conditions in the Baltic Sea.
Sweden's environment minister Andreas Carlgren said yesterday that the information Nord Stream has presented to date shows that the chosen path in the Swedish economic zone in the Baltic Sea and close to the island Gotland, goes through a 'number' of environmentally problematic and 'risky' areas.
The consortium said the route of the pipeline running through the Swedish economic zone has been studied in detail and has not revealed the presence of any ammunition.
Sweden is concerned that construction of the pipeline may disturb mines, chemical waste or chemical ammunitions dumped in the Baltic Sea.
Nord Stream is a joint venture company established in Dec 2005 with the purpose of carrying out a feasibility study and building the Nord Stream Pipeline. Gazprom holds a 51 pct interest in the joint venture, and BASF and E.ON hold 24.5 pct each.
(AFX News)