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International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Thursday, 25.04.2024, 13:36

Sekmokas: Lithuania wants energy independence, not to punish Gazprom

Petras Vaida, BC, Vilnius, 26.01.2011.Print version
By appealing to the European Commission on the possible abuse of dominant position by Russian gas concern Gazprom, Lithuania does not aim at punishing the company, but wants to promote competition in the gas sector and reduce dependence on a single gas supplier. Lithuania also aims at drawing attention the problems that it faces by implementing the provisions of the European directive, the so-called third package, Energy Minister Arvydas Sekmokas said.

Arvydas Sekmokas.

"First of all, we expect that the investigation of the current situation will be launched, and maybe, as a result, the EC will commit or agree with Gazprom to change its policy towards Lithuania.

 

According to the minister, usually, the EC adopts a decision regarding the opening of the investigation within four months, the investigation itself takes much longer, writes LETA/ELTA.

 

Arvydas Sekmokas claims that Lithuania is being punished for attempts to promote competition in the gas sector, to reduce dependence on a single gas supplier.

 

"When the Government announced its intentions to implement the requirements of the EU directive, Lithuania faced with unprecedented pressure. Lithuania was required to maintain a vertically integrated gas monopoly. This was done in a variety of ways – both, legal and other," he said. The laws relating to the reform in the gas sector will be submitted to the Seimas during spring session.





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