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), Germany's BASF (BASF.F) and E.ON (EONGn.DE), 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.

Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, whose country has been less critical of the project than the other Baltic states, also expressed some worries.

"We feel this is not in line with (European Union) common energy policy objectives," Dombrovskis said.

Poland also fears Russia could stop gas deliveries via Poland's territory without affecting Germany, once the pipeline becomes operational.

Kubilius said the Nord Stream plan boosted the need for the Baltic states to develop alternative gas supply routes and independent energy generating capacities.

The three prime ministers also reconfirmed their interests in building a new nuclear power plant in Lithuania, and in seeking a strategic investor for it.

(Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis)