The Finnish government on Thursday approved Nord Stream's plan to build a 1,200-kilometre pipeline to deliver gas from Russia to Germany.

A 375-kilometre stretch of the pipeline is to lie in Finland's exclusive economic zone in the Gulf of Finland.

"One of the conditions set by the government was that the project should be implemented in conformity with the precautionary principle, paying particular attention to the Baltic Sea's sensitivity and vulnerability," the government said in a statement.

"Nord Stream must take all possible measures to prevent and minimise any damage. Moreover, the project must be implemented so as not to prevent any potential subsequent energy, data communications or other infrastructure projects, even if they would intersect with the gas pipelines within Finland's exclusive economic zone."

The government added that Nord Stream, a German-Russian joint venture, was expected to keep the Finnish Coast Guard informed about safety and security issues.

Finnish environmental authorities are expected to announce their decision on the project in December.

STT