Finnish businessmen can hinder Nord Stream gas pipeline construction

Finnish businessman can hinder construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline construction, Echo Moscow reported.

Finland’s Labor and Economy Ministry has received an unexpected request. A group of entrepreneurs request the ministry to allow them to conduct work at the section of the Baltic Sea from where Nord Stream gas pipeline will be laid.

The Finnish media said if the request if accepted, the construction of the Nord Stream will be delayed for a certain period of time. Finland approved environmental impact statement of the project in early July which removed one more obstacles for the pipeline construction.

On Friday the head of Russian industry and trade minister Viktor Khristenko suggested Nord Stream concern to buy 83,000 tons of large diameter pipes within the construction of the second stage of the pipeline.

During the meeting on the development of the steel industry, Khristenko said that as part of procurement planning Nord Stream should take account of national economic interests of the States participating in the project.

“In this light, we consider it reasonable to propose the Nord Stream to consider tenders opened for the supply of 830,000 tons of large diameter pipes for the second stage of a European gas pipeline among Russian producers of pipes,” the minister said.

He said in this case, the final volume of supplied pipes for the first and second stage of the pipeline will comply with Russia's share in the project. “This question corresponds to the principle of equal participation in the project,” he said.

/Newsru/