Events

MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei commented on the plans to transit Russian gas to Europe via Nord Stream 2 in an interview to the Financial Times, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"I know that there are disagreements in the European Union on this issue. To be honest, we have repeatedly discussed the issue with my European counterparts," Vladimir Makei said.

In his words, the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline passes through Belarus. “In the past, we were ready to lay the second branch of this gas pipeline to Europe. However, some countries, like Poland, were against the project. In my opinion, this was possible to do in the past. Now we can not change the situation. We, however, have repeatedly stated our readiness to build a second pipeline,” the minister said.

According to the diplomat, it would certainly be beneficial for Belarus to have a second pipeline, which would secure uninterrupted supply of large volumes of gas to Europe.

“We are not judges in this situation. we can not assess whether it is positive or negative. We understand that Nord Stream 2 will pass to the north from Belarus. Nevertheless, we are ready to provide all necessary guarantees that Belarus is a reliable partner in ensuring uninterrupted supply of fuel and energy resources from Russia to Europe,” Vladimir Makei said.

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is planned to be laid along the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Its entry point will be the Ust-Luga area, Leningrad Region. Its exit point in Germany will be in the Greifswald area close to the exit point of Nord Stream.

The length of the route of the new gas pipeline is more than 1,200 kilometers. The project will be completed in 2019. However, a number of European countries oppose its implementation.