Poland irked by Nord Stream?

BRUSSELS, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- A Polish economist blasted a decision by the Russian-backed Nord Stream consortium to move forward with construction of the gas pipeline without consultation.

Russia includes Nord Stream, as well as its South Stream project, as part of a plan to diversify the regional energy sector. Sweden and Finland announced their backing for Nord Stream construction last week, clearing the way for the construction of the dual pipeline through the Baltic Sea.

Danuta Huebner, a European lawmaker and Polish economist, expressed frustration that the Polish or European governments were not consulted.

"Unfortunately, they have forgotten to consult all the countries that may have been interested in a decision," she told the Adnkronos news agency.

Though the project has won political support, several littoral states expressed concern over the environmental impact of the construction in the Baltic Sea.

"The fact is that the Nord Stream project was decided (by Berlin and Moscow) and there was no European consultation, as there should have been," the center-right lawmaker said.