Need trumps environment on Nord Stream

TALLINN, Estonia, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Despite the risk of environmental damage, the Russian-Ukrainian gas crisis makes the Nord Stream gas pipeline more attractive, Estonian officials say.

Nord Stream would travel from Russia through the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea to Germany. Littoral states, including Estonia, and local communities expressed concern the construction may create ecological problems.

Construction is also complicated by unexploded ordnance from World War II strewn across the floor of the Baltic Sea.

Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister Urmas Paet said his country still had concerns about the environmental risks posed by Nord Stream, but recognized the European Union may warm toward the project in the wake of the Ukrainian gas row, the Internet news site The Baltic Course reported Thursday.

"European countries feel differently on the matter, as some countries see themselves benefiting from the project," he said.

The minister added there were few alternatives for Europe but to seek the development of alternative resource arteries, as 80 percent of the Russian gas to Europe travels through Ukraine.