The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will begin
operations in mid 2020, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Kozak
confirmed on Thursday.
More than 80% of the pipeline has been built for the project whose completion was originally expected by the end of 2019.
Countries along the construction route, including Germany, Finland and Sweden have already granted permits and Denmark, which originally expressed opposition to the project, agreed a permit last month.
Previously, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Ukraine along with Denmark expressed their opposition to the project, arguing that it would increase the EU's dependence on Russian gas while urging that Europe instead focus on diversifying its energy resources.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is a 1,200-kilometer-long joint venture between Russia's Gazprom and five European companies. It aims at doubling the current annual 55 billion cubic meter capacity of the Nord Stream pipeline.
(Anadolu Agency)
