According to a press release of the Government of Sweden, there were no grounds for refusal. Neither national nor international law allowed the government to reject the application.
As Nord Stream 2 reported, preparations for the construction would begin in the coming months. Pipe laying in the Swedish exclusive zone will start before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the Swedish government has pointed out that they are negative about the project as a whole. According to the Minister of Industry and Innovation Mikael Damberg, laying the pipeline is contrary to the goals of the Energy Union.
Aside from that, the Swedish authorities are concerned about the consequences of the pipeline building for Ukraine, which transports Russian gas. Mr. Damberg believes that Kiev may incur economic losses.