Analytics, Budget, Energy, Financial Services, Lithuania, Markets and Companies

Dalia Grybauskaite and Andrius Kubilius. Vilnius, 31.08.2010.

According to Kubilius, no radical changes are planned for the 2011 state budget, informs LETA/ELTA.

"The reduced budget remains, and decisions related to cutbacks in spending were passed in essence in the spring session, particularly in the social area. I could also say that there is a clear committment, at least at the level of the Government, to complete the deliberation of the long-term reform of SoDra, which is also related to a long-term secure life based on economizing," Kubilius said. The prime minister noted there were specific plans for the energy sector in the coming several months: to build an energy market, to implement European directives, especially in the gas sector, and to complete the procedure for selection of the strategic investor in the energy sector. According to Kubilius, the reform in the energy sector should be aimed at seeking independence and alternatives.

A lot of attention is to be paid to the reform of state-owned companies. According to Kubilius, there have been discussions about the reform long since, the first tasks have been accomplished, the first public report on the management of the state's companies has been announced.

Presidential spokesman Linas Balsys said that Grybauskaite would like to see the whole SoDra reform package rather than separate aspects of the reform.

Speaking about the energy sector, the head of state highlighted the creation of the electricity market and the gas market. According to Balsys, the president views the Government's efforts in this area favourably.

Grybauskaite also called on the ruling politicians not to place culture outside the key priorities. "The Government should not forget to allocate funds to such important objects as the Martynas Mazvydas National Library, the Gediminas hill and the castle to prevent the slopes from falling, which would be a national shame," Balsys said.

The presidential spokesman said that the head of state wished the ruling parties a productive political season, fruitful cooperation between the Government, the Seimas and the President. Grybauskaite also added that politicians should serve the people rather than narrow political interests.