Baltic States – CIS, Energy, EU – Baltic States, Gas, Legislation

The prime ministers of EU members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania warned that time was of the essence in finalizing a deal over European Union financial support for the EUR 558-million (USD 600-million) gas link between Poland and Lithuania.

"Given the current geopolitical situation in Europe, close cooperation and coordination of actions among our countries is of crucial importance," the three prime ministers said in a letter to Polish counterpart Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz and EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker.

Russian intervention in Ukraine and military maneuvers in the Baltic region have stoked concern that the Kremlin could try to destabilize the countries that were in its orbit during Soviet times, including the Baltic states, the AFP news agency points.

Construction is set to begin next year on the pipeline due to span more than 500 kilometers (300 miles) and have an annual capacity of 2.3 billion cubic meters.

The trio urged Warsaw "to take all possible steps to speed up the process of finalizing the agreement with the (European) Commission," the executive of the 28-nation European Union.

Lithuania "sees the risk" that Poland may delay the project in a bid to secure more EU financial aid, an official in Vilnius told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The Baltic States are trying to end their status as energy islands in the EU, with few links to the rest of the bloc, the AFP adds.