Germany’s energy regulator (Bundesnetzagentur) announced on Monday that it has four months to complete the authorization process for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, after receiving all the necessary documents to grant an operating license from the consortium that built the pipeline, Reuters reports.

Last week, Russian group Gazprom announced the completion of construction work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which consists of two separate lines that can transport 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to Germany, enough to supply 26 millions of households.

However, the Nord Stream 2 project is criticized by the USA and Ukraine, among others. Washington says the pipeline will increase Europe’s dependence on energy supplies from Russia, according to Agerpres.

In a statement published on its website on Monday, the Bundesnetzagentur said that the four-month authorization period for Nord Stream 2 AG had started on September 8. Once the regulatory authority has completed its inspection, it must send a preliminary version of its decision to the European Commission.

In particular, the Bundesnetzagentur must ensure that Nord Stream 2 complies with EU rules requiring pipe owners to be separated from gas suppliers when they reach and pass through German waters and territory.

During a visit to Poland the other day, German Chancellor Angela Merkel tried to allay concerns about Nord Stream 2, saying she had made it clear to Moscow that Ukraine must remain a transit country for natural gas supplies destined for Europe after the expiry of the current five-year transit agreement, in 2024.

Originally scheduled to become operational in 2019, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has suffered numerous delays after the US threatened to penalize companies involved in the construction of this pipeline. Perspectives changed after President Joe Biden decided to lift some sanctions in May this year, when an agreement was reached with Germany, which warned it would react if Russia tried to use energy as a weapon against Ukraine.