Baltic states still worry about Nord Stream pipe

VILNIUS, Nov 6 (Reuters) - The prime ministers of the three Baltic states again expressed worries on Friday about a German-Russian gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, after Sweden and Finland gave their nod to the project.

Nord Stream has raised fears both among environmental groups who are worried about the impact on the Baltic Sea, and countries such as Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states, which view the project as a threat to their energy security.

"Our government has been sceptical, critical about this. Unfortunately we don't have any legal rights to veto the project," Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius told a news conference after a Baltic prime ministers' meeting.

"If we had, you would know our decision," he added.

Nord Stream, comprised of Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM: Quote, Profile, Research), Germany's BASF (BASF.F: Quote, Profile, Research) and E.ON (EONGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research), has said construction on the pipeline should begin in April, with operations set to begin by the end of 2011

Andrus Ansip, the Estonian prime minister, said his country remained concerned about the environmental impact, but had to "trust our Scandinavian partners."

"To be absolutely honest, I don't like this project," Ansip added.

Sweden and Finland signed off on pipeline's construction in their waters on Thursday.[ID:nL5324152]

Denmark gave its assent last month, leaving Russia and Germany as the last countries to sign off.