The resisting states against the construction of the gas-pipeline along the bottom of the Baltic Sea were submitted with evidentiary material on ecological safety of the project.

The Company Nord Stream AG, operating the project of the construction of the pipeline under the same title, announced the data of their report concerning ecological consequences of the “Nord Stream”. According to the report, experts consider groundless the fears expressed by some countries concerning the route of the pipeline alongside the internment of chemical armament during the II World War.

“Probability of contact of the pipeline along the larger part of the route with the chemical armament is little. Considering the minimal probability of the contact, the affect is assessed as moderate and low”, stated the document.

Data of the report on ecological research, for the performance of which the company has already spent over EUR 100 million, as informed by "Intefax", were submitted to nine countries of the Baltic region, and it is expected that all consultations taking place around possible ecological consequences will be finalised during the summer this year.

We would like to note, that the implementation of the project shall be approved by Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. Moreover, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland are entitled to receive ecological information on the pipeline, whereas the construction of which may have impact on the environment of the Baltic Sea.

The latter countries along with Sweden are the toughest opponents to the “Nord Stream”. Finland has been earlier consolidating with the opposing states, but since February this year announced about its readiness to support the project.

However, Lithuania has recently stated about its intentions to continue fighting against the gas pipeline by addressing the Helsinki Commission on the protection of the Environment of the Baltic Sea with the request to participate in the international assessment of the impact of the gas pipeline on the environment.

Material has been prepared by the Centre for Geopolitical Studies with reference to the article from “Vzgliad“ of  09 March 2009.

For effective complex defence of Latvia, the establishment of a permanent division of the National Armed Forces has started in Latgale, reported the official website of the Ministry of Defence.

On 13 January a concert "Together to the victory" was held in Lithuania, where the audience decided to support Ukraine's defence and donated 110 thousand Euros.

Alexander Lukashenko on 9 January signed a decree № 8 "On the establishment of visa-free entry and exit of foreign nationals." The document establishes visa-free entry to Belarus for a period not exceeding 5 days at the entrance through the checkpoint "National Airport Minsk" for citizens of 80 countries, - reported the press service of the President of Belarus.