Energy, EU – Baltic States, Gas, Latvia, Legislation

Kampars spoke out today during an interview with LETA.

One of the most important problems, according to Kampars, is the liberalization of the gas market, as well as the opportunity for other merchants to gain access to gas infrastructure and successfully operate in the gas market. "So far, Latvijas Gaze was the only company to run the gas monopoly in Latvia. The European Commission has ordered Latvia to achieve liberalization of its gas market by April 3, 2017. Thus, the issue ought to be handled right away," he opined.

"For almost three years, I was the economy minister of Latvia, and energy independence was my top priority. Following a heated clash of various interests, an energy strategy was drawn up, but it still has not been approved," Kampars said.

Kampars says that three years is too long. Latvia is obliged to follow the European Union's regulations, and to split the gas monopoly by separating infrastructure from supply in order to create competition in the market, as is the case with the electricity market.

Latvijas Gaze privatization agreement enabled its shareholders to run the monopoly for 20 years – until April 3, 2017. The government will have to pass a number of important decisions aimed at ensuring security of supply, as well as lower prices. Kampars hopes for a constructive cooperation with Economy Minister Dana Rezniece-Ozola (Greens/Farmers) in order to accomplish the task Latvia has been entrusted with. Estonia and Lithuania have already liberalized their gas markets.