Energy, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Gas, Lithuania

Photo: enmin.lt

"Poland is one of Lithuania's key strategic partners in the field of energy. The joint energy projects that are currently being implemented – construction of the LitPol Link interconnection and the Gas Interconnection Poland-Lithuania (GIPL), as well as synchronisation of the Lithuanian power system with the Continental European grids – are an excellent example of how active and fruitful cooperation is possible when there are shared interests and goals. Lithuania and Poland also consistently hold the same positions in EU institutions when talking about the importance of an external energy policy: support for Ukraine and the idea of joint gas purchasing. I think that we definitely have the potential to cooperate in implementing other energy projects as well," said Lithuania's minister of energy.

During one of the discussions at the 25th Economic Forum, the minister spoke about the heightened significance of energy security.

"Today, energy security is becoming an integral part of geopolitical security in the broader sense. This is particularly evident in Central and Eastern Europe, where many countries are dependent on expensive energy imports from third countries. Just a year ago, Lithuania was also importing 100 percent of its oil and gas from Russia and 63 percent of its electricity from third countries. These circumstances had a negative impact on both national security and energy security. Now the situation is completely different – after completion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, the energy sector in our country is more diversified, more sustainable and more secure," said Minister Masiulis.

According to the Lithuanian minister of energy, it becomes clear that the more terminals appear in the region, the better – LNG facilities contribute directly to the security of supply. Lithuania fully supports regional LNG projects. Successful construction of the terminal in Poland would allow strengthening the North-South gas corridor, encompassing the crucial area of East-Central Europe from Croatia to Finland.

While in Poland, Minister Masiulis also met with gas transmission system operator Gaz-System CEO Jan Chadam and discussed opportunities to speed up implementation of the GIPL project. During a meeting with Janusz Piechocinski, Polish deputy prime minister and minister of economy, the officials discussed further bilateral cooperation. The minister also has a meeting planned with Mariusz Zawisza, CEO of the Polish oil and natural gas company PGNiG.

Political and economic leaders from Central and Eastern Europe are meeting for what is already the twenty-fifth time at the Economic Forum in the town of Krynica-Zdroj. This forum is one of the region's most important events dedicated to economic issues.