Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, Energy, Energy Market, Latvia, Lithuania, Nuclear power plant

Nevertheless, countries will have to continue talks on how electricity trade with third countries will take place, Linkevicius says.

"As you know, we have spent a lot of time negotiating on the purchase of electricity from third countries, on the method and other issues, and we had certain disagreements of opinion. So I believe the Latvian government's decision is really welcome and logical," Linkevicius told.

In his words, Latvia's decision is also important for the synchronization of the Baltic power grids with that of continental Europe.

"All the more so, it not only meets those our technical and other cooperation requirements, but is also right geopolitically as with everything we are doing in preparation for de-synchronization with the East and synchronization with the West, this decision is like a piece of the puzzle, a certain stage," Linkevicius said.

Asked whether in this case electricity from Astravyets would not enter Lithuania from Russia via Latvia, the foreign minister said that issues related to power trade with third countries would be further resolved.

"All issues will be further resolved but this specific issue and specific non-purchase from Belarus when the power plant is launched was a fairly principled one. At this stage, the adopted decision is right, and from here, our energy experts and also other institutions will work, talk and negotiate," Linkevicius said.

The minister believes Riga's decision might have been affected by a combination of factors, including not only Lithuania's active effort but also the existing political crisis in Belarus.

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said Latvia would stop electricity trade with Belarus, if the Astravyets nuclear power plant was launched. The prime minister said that in that case Latvia could start electricity trade via the Latvian-Russian link.

Nevertheless, he said, it remains unclear how trade with third countries will take place but Latvia will resolve this issue with representatives of Lithuania, Estonia and the European Commission.