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

Photo: enmin.lt

During the meeting, the Minister of Energy of Lithuania stressed that due to high energy dependency and tense geopolitical situation energy security remains an important priority of Lithuania. Short, medium and long-term measures to strengthen EU energy security set out in the report are in line with the Lithuanian goals to develop a well-functioning EU internal energy market and constantly strengthen it. Among the essential elements in achieving energy security goals are the development of the missing infrastructure and the elimination of the energy isolation of EU Member States. 

“The Lithuanian LNG terminal is a key game changer in the still completely monopolistic gas market of the Baltic Region. The LNG terminal will operate under the third party access regime, meaning that our neighbours Latvia and Estonia will also have the possibility to use the terminal’s capacity for their own needs. The LNG terminal in Klaipėda is included in the European Energy Security Strategy as one of the key projects to enhance the energy security of both Lithuania and Europe as a whole. We are sincerely delighted that Lithuania can contribute to the implementation of the Strategy without a delay and demonstrate the benefits of supply diversification,” stressed Masiulis in his speech to the representatives of EU Member States. 

The ministers of EU Member States congratulated Lithuania on the security of alternative gas supply and referred to it as an example of good practice in solving one of the essential problems of EU energy security in respect of both short-term and long-term periods. 

The Minister of Energy of Lithuania also emphasized that despite the current efforts and concrete steps in improving EU energy security, the focus on it should not be lessened and it should remain one of the key elements in the EU energy policy agenda. 

While speaking about the implementation of EU internal energy market and the elimination of energy islands, Masiulis stressed these issues being the priorities of Lithuania in EU energy policy. “In order to become an integral part of the continental Europe network system, the development of the interconnections among Member States and a fully-functioning EU energy market are the main aspects conditioning the attainment of this goal. Lithuania agrees to the implementation of the EU Third Energy Package, actively supports and encourages the adoption and development of network codes that ensure equal and effective usage of energy networks and enhance the capacities and the security of energy supply,” said the Minister of Energy. 

During the Informal Energy Council, the Minister of Energy of Lithuania had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Economy of Latvia Vyacheslav Dombrovsky and discussed the cooperation in the implementation of strategic projects in the gas and electricity sectors.