As a cross-border project, Nord Stream is subject to international conventions and national legislation in each of the countries directly or indirectly affected. Before construction can start, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be completed and published. The consultation process is governed by the Espoo Convention.

Since November 2006, when Nord Stream officially notified all relevant authorities of its plans to build the pipeline, the company has received 129 statements from private and public bodies in the Baltic Sea countries (Denmark 5, Estonia 12, Finland 50, Germany 29, Latvia 1, Lithuania 1, Poland 1, Russia 1, and Sweden 29). In the first phase of the consultation process, now completed, Nord Stream participated in 22 public hearings and meetings in these countries.

Nord Stream AG seeks open dialogue and believes in informing the general public as widely and comprehensively as possible on this major project. As part of its commitment to transparency, the company published all 129 Espoo comments and some additional national statements in English on this website.

Comments focus on the impact on the seabed and commercial fisheries as well as on dumped and residual munitions – issues which Nord Stream and its shareholders have addressed and researched for some years. The comments will be incorporated into the final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report required under Espoo which is due for publication in 2008.

Nord Stream AG would like to thank everyone for participating in the international consultation process and presenting their comments.