
European leaders opened a massive pipeline carrying Russian gas under the Baltic Sea. Photo: Presidents Medvedev of Russia (left) and Christian Wulff of Germany.
The 1.2-metre-diameter pipe, which took 19 months to lay on the
seabed, leads to the German coast and will supply 27.5 billion cubic
metres of gas annually to western European nations. It is designed to
operate for 50 years.
"We will be tied closely to one another for decades," said Merkel.

Together with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, she and others
turned a big wheel to open a tap and let the gas out of the
underwater pipeline into Germany.
The flat white wheel - a ceremonial device that was not connected
to the actual pipeline - wobbled precariously as the leaders leaned
on it, in a scene broadcast live on German national television.
Russia had begun filling the line with gas in September.