Russia Awaiting EU, Germany Decisions on Nord Stream-2 Gas Pipeline

Russia is waiting for a decision by the European Commission and Germany on construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Novak's statement came after a meeting with German Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel.

"The issues [of the construction] of the Nord Stream pipeline were discussed. This <…> is now in the competence of the German regulator. Generally, we are constantly discussing these issues, we are awaiting particular decisions from our colleagues, both from the European Commission, and from the German regulator," Novak said.

In September, Russian energy company Gazprom signed a shareholders agreement with Germany's E.ON, Shell, BASF/Wintershall, OMV, and Engie on the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea. The pipeline will have an annual gas capacity of 55 billion cubic meters.

On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said pre-construction planning for the Nord Stream-2 pipeline was progressing on schedule.