The operators of the existing Nord Stream pipeline and the Nord Stream 2 expansion project have brought legal action before the General Court for the annulment of what they claim are "discriminatory measures" provided for in EU directives.

"It is in Lithuania's direct interest to seek that the directive should not be annulled," Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas told the Cabinet.

Lithuania intends to side with the European Parliament and the Council in the dispute and seek the dismissal of the action.

According to the Lithuanian Justice Ministry, the Nord Stream gas pipelines allow Gazprom to have alternative gas supply routes and manipulate gas deliveries to the EU by redirecting flows from Central and Eastern Europe to Western Europe.

Russia expects to build the second pipeline to Germany via the Baltic Sea by early 2020. The pipeline with an annual design throughput of 55 billion cubic meters would double the capacity of the Russian gas export corridor. This would allow Moscow to eliminate Ukraine as a transit country for Russian gas and use Europe's increased dependence on its gas as a political tool.

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