Russia, Germany launch gas pipeline

GERMANY: European leaders and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have opened the Nord Stream gas pipeline, linking Western Europe and Russia.

The 10-billion-dollar pipeline project was formally opened during a ceremony held in the German city of Lubmin, starting the gas flow between Western Europe and the huge gas reserves of Russia’s Siberia, state-funded BBC reported.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel joined Medvedev, as well as French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in the ceremony.

The new route allows the direct flow of Siberian gas to Germany, via two pipelines under the Baltic Sea.

The first line has an annual capacity of 27.5 billion cubic meters.

This permits Russia to bypass traditional transit countries that it has strained relations with, like Ukraine and Poland.

The project is expected to reach its full capacity next year.

The underwater pipeline is to be 1,200 kilometers long, carrying gas from northern Russia to northeastern Germany.

Currently, 80 percent of Russia’s gas exports to European nations flow through pipelines crossing though Ukraine, causing more tension.

PRESS TV