“I do not think the project can be stopped. I am convinced that it will be implemented. Both Germany and other European countries whose companies are involved in its implementation are interested in this, ”the minister said.
As Lavrov noted, all of Europe is interested in this, because it "will strengthen European energy security."
“Experts, I repeat, this is their opinion, all agree that almost all of these options for resolving legal conflicts will lead to higher gas prices for end consumers, for citizens of European Union countries,” he added.
According to Lavrov, “geopolitical games” do not disappear.
“There will be competition, including not very clean methods. But I am convinced that if everyone adheres to legal norms, including the norms of the European Union, with all their ambiguity, the Nord Stream 2 company strives to fully comply with them, I am sure that this issue will be resolved, ”he said.
On May 15, the regulator in Germany rejected the Nord Stream 2 AG application for exempting the gas pipeline project from the requirements of the EU Gas Directive.
The company later reported that after receiving a formal decision, it will be given an assessment. They did not exclude that they would appeal the decision in German courts.