Denmark's protracting the decision on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will not influence the timing of the project implementation,  Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters, RNS reported.

Commenting on the new amendments to the gas directive of the European Union, the Minister noted that they would not have a negative impact on the implementation of the project. “I am sure that these amendments will not have a negative impact on the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project.”  It is obvious that the project is commercial, the European companies, European consumers are interested in it.

He added that new amendments softer, than that option which was considered initially.

The Danish Energy Agency has requested an environmental assessment of a third route option for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Danish waters, a move that could delay the project to pump Russian gas to Europe. The 1,225 km pipeline, now under construction, has come under fire from the United States and several eastern European, Nordic and Baltic Sea countries which fear it will increase the European Union’s reliance on Russian gas.