Baltic States – CIS, Energy, EU – Baltic States, EU – CIS, Gas, Lithuania

EU Energy Commissioner, Günther Oettinger has been strongly concerned about cuts in gas supply to Lithuania, following the Russia-Belarus gas dispute. Lithuanian authorities confirmed that Russian gas supplies via Belarus decreased by around 50% on Wednesday, 23 June.

Commission’s opinion

In the Commission’s press-release (IP/10/797), Günther Oettinger, Commissioner responsible for Energy underlined that Russia’s international commitments on gas supply “must me respected unconditionally”; gas cuts as some of the EU member states are witnessing presently, “are not acceptable and it is regarded as an affront against the whole European Union”.

Grounds for concern

Lithuanian authorities have confirmed on 23 June 2010, that gas supplied via the national Belarus gas pipeline system has been cut by around 50%. On Monday (21.06), the Russian gas company Gazprom decided to cut gas supplies to Belarus claiming an outstanding debt of $ 190 mln.

On Tuesday (21.06), EU Commissioner G. Oettinger talked to Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and Belarus First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko. Meetings on expert level have also been held. On 23.06.2010, the EU Commissioner discussed the situation with Lithuanian Energy Minister Arvydas Sekmokas.

Countries affected by the dispute

The Commission is in close contact with national authorities potentially affected by the gas dispute, i.e. Lithuania, Poland and Germany to monitor the situation.

In the case of Poland and Germany, Russian gas could be delivered via Ukraine. This is not possible for Lithuania, which depends totally on Russian gas delivered through Belarus.

Latvia is expected to be able to deliver gas from its deposits to Lithuania without any problems, though only for one week. About 6,25% of gas consumed in the EU is delivered via Belarus and could potentially be affected by the dispute, argued the Commission.