image

epa02996359 German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L-R), Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and German former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder speak at the opening of the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream in Lubmin, Germany, 08 November 2011. The Baltic Sea pipeline of the Russian-European consortium Nord Stream directly connects Germany and Western Europe to one of the world's largest natural gas fields. Gas provider is Gazprom, the Russian majority owner of the Nord Stream company. EPA/STEFAN SAUER