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

The proposed amendments were backed by 88 lawmakers and two abstained. Under the amendments, companies will not get permits to import electricity from Belarus, and the government commission assessing deals of strategic companies will have powers to suspend licenses if an importer was deemed posing threat to national security.

Jaroslav Neverovic, a presidential adviser, said earlier the synchronization of the Baltic grids with that of continental Europe and their disconnection from the BRELL system, subsequently involving only Russia and Belarus, would help to protect from Belarusian electricity.

The Seimas of Lithuania has already adopted a law banning power purchase from unsafe power plants.

In 2017, the Seimas recognized the Astravyets NPP as unsafe and posing threat to Lithuania's national security, environment and public health.

The Belarusian authorities say the power plant could start operating in the first quarter of 2020 and they reject Lithuania's criticism over safety standards.