Riga- Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, speaking in the Latvian capital Riga on Wednesday, said the European Union might need the Nord Stream gas pipeline planned to run under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with his Latvian counterpart, Maris Riekstins, Stubb said Europe needed an energy mix including gas, nuclear and other options to ensure supplies.

Stubb referred to a variety of pipeline projects designed to deliver energy supplies to Europe from Russia and the Middle East.

"I say we need Nabucco, I say we need South Stream and I say that at the end of the day we might also need Nord Stream," Stubb asserted.

He added that Finland was not blocking the Nord Stream project, describing as pragmatic the Finnish government's attitude.

"Politically we are not blocking it. Our approach to Nord Stream is a positive one," he said.

Stubb suggested talk about dependence on Russian energy told only half the story of the relationship between Russia and the EU.

"Seventy-five per cent of the Russian energy market is in Europe, so who is more dependent on who?" Stubb asked.

"Gas going to Germany is as important as gas going to Latvia," Stubb said, admitting that the Nord Stream project could be "one part of the solution."

Both ministers called on European nations and particularly the Nordic and Baltic nations to develop a single energy market.

"My feeling is very strongly that the crisis we witnessed at the beginning of the year with Russia and Ukraine should provide impetus for a common European energy policy. I'm not talking about determining energy sources but it should be our next big project," said Stubb. (dpa)