Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, Energy, EU – CIS, Lithuania, Port, Transport

Alexander Lukashenko and Andrius Kubilius. Minsk, 28.06.2010.

The prime minister and the representatives of the neighbouring country's opposition discussed the present political situation in Belarus, actions of civil society organisations in preparation for presidential elections in Belarus, proposals to the EU to decide on further relations with Belarus in Belarus in September, informs ELTA/LETA.

According to the representatives of the democratic opposition, "repressions remain in Belarus, only their form changes." According to them, the frozen relations and alleged anger between Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin in public are nothing more than a show. In addition, Political parties and public organisations are in a difficult situation to act freely and have limited opportunities.

Kubilius stated that Lithuania supported and would support democratic forces in Belarus actively.

"Contacts and good relations with official authorities of Belarus do not mean disappointment with the opposition by any means. Lithuania, as the entire European Union, tries to retain a balance between cooperation with the Belarusian authorities and support to democratic forces. With the help of such a balance, real changes in your country could be made," said Kubilius and stressed that Belarus would move towards EU standards more rapidly only through cooperation with the EU and the strengthening of the civil society.

Prime Minister Kubilius also assured Belarusians that Lithuania would continue supporting the European Humanities University.

The meeting with the Lithuanian prime minister was attended by 14 well-known members of the Belarusian civil society and democratic opposition. Among them were Oleg Gulak, member of Belarus' Hesinki Committee, former political prisoner Alexander Kozulin, Alexander Milinkevich, leader of the movement "For Freedom", Stanislav Shushkievich, chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada, Anatoly Lebedka, leader of the United Civil Party of Belarus, and others.

Lithuania and its ex-Soviet neighbour Belarus are aiming to work together on a planned Baltic Sea liquefied natural gas terminal, Andrius Kubilius said on Monday.

"Belarus is showing big interest in cooperating in the energy field. We discussed a common action group to review the idea of a joint project," Kubilius told AFP by telephone from Minsk after a meeting there with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Lithuania has already announced that it aims to build an LNG terminal in its Baltic port of Klaipeda by 2012.

The plan is part of a drive to make the country less dependent on shipments from Russia, which currently account for Lithuania's entire gas supply. An ongoing feasibility study is expected to be completed in the autumn.

Lithuania gets its Russian gas via a pipeline across Belarus, and has thus been hit by feuds between Moscow and Minsk.

Last week, Lithuania's gas supplies dipped by over 40% amid a row between Belarus and Russia over arrears in the former's gas payments and the latter's transit fees.

Kubilius said that Belarus was also considering constructing a pipeline to Klaipeda if the LNG project went ahead.

"Belarus also needs alternative gas supplies. It is important for the whole region so we will analyse the possibilities in the near future to develop this project," he said.

He said his talks with Lukashenko also focused on possible imports of oil from Venezuela to Belarus via Lithuania, and Belarussian electricity exports to Lithuania.