Sergey Lavrov discussed the construction of the Nord Stream-2 with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Sergey Vodolagin quoted by “Kommersant” edition

Denmark, which passed a law in November that prohibits the construction of the Nord Stream-2 based on its national security, should consider Russia's application for laying pipes according to old standards,- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation sais.

When Moscow requested permission, the country could refuse only if there was risk for environment. Russian demands are substantiated, lawyers say, but considering political vector, it will be easier for Gazprom to revise the route, than to challenge Copenhagen's decision for years.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Denmark, Sergei Lavrov and Anders Samuelsen held a meeting on Tuesday in Moscow. The construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline in the country's territorial waters by Gazprom was one of its topics. According to the Russian minister, Moscow insists that Copenhagen should consider the application for laying the pipe according to the legislation, which was in force at the time of its filing in April 2017. The issue was dealt by the Danish Energy Agency, based on environmental considerations, but in November 2017 the Danish Parliament approved the law, under which the Foreign Ministry is able to make a decision on the basis of national security considerations.

"Nord Stream-2" with a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year will pass from Russia to Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Gazprom started its construction in the summer 2018, however permits of Finland, Sweden and Denmark for the implementation of the project are needed. The company is planning to get them in February. AG (the operator of the Nord Stream-2 project) received permission to lay the see section of the gas pipeline in the territorial waters of Germany at the end of January. Alexei Miller, the head of Gazprom, declared upon that it had already given opportunity to begin construction of the most important section of the gas pipeline and the receiving terminal in Germany.

The Westside law firm partner Sergey Vodolagin sais that the rules of law normally are not retroactive, but situation is different in the case of Nord Stream-2. He notes that Denmark received an application from Russia to lay the gas pipeline across its territory and after that passed a law allowing it to prohibit the construction of the gas pipeline, justifying it with references to security and foreign policy. "Generally such justifications are usually applied by states when they want to introduce a law having retroactive effect. In the case of Nord Stream-2, it is unlikely that they will be able to use the same legal mechanisms that are used to protect the rights of citizens and that could allow Russia to demand the application of the Danish legislation that was in effect on the date of filing of the application for laying the gas pipeline,- he sais.

More details at: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3541203