Demand for gas in Europe will grow
VYBORG. April 9 (Interfax) - The demand for natural gas in Europe will grow, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said.
"Even though all of us are dealing with environmental issues and looking for alternative sources [of energy], the demand for gas in Europe will continue to grow. And that is natural," he said at the ceremony of launching the construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
Medvedev said that Nord Stream will guarantee direct deliveries of Russian gas to Western Europe bypassing transit nations.
"This country has been cooperating with European neighbors in the gas sector for over 40 years. This cooperation has stood the test of time to the full extent. I am sure that it is producing very good mutual results and nowadays guarantees over a quarter of the gas that is consumed in the European Union which is around 140 billion cubic meters a year," he said.
Medvedev said that Nord Stream will additionally deliver about 55 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to Germany, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Belgium.