Energy, EU – Baltic States, Gas

In order to build the gas pipeline, which will cost approximately EUR 7.4 billion (LVL 5.2 billion), the Russian concern Gazprom and other companies involved in the project will have to take out loans from European banks. The European Investment Bank is seen as the most attractive bank, and is the European Union's (EU) official financial institution. The bank's shares are made up of payments made by EU members, including the Baltic States and Poland.

The newspaper points out that Poland previously had the right to block a possible decision by the European Investment Bank to issue loans for the construction of the Northern European gas pipeline, however, with the coming of force of the Lisbon Treaty, decision within the EU will be decided by a majority vote. This means that if a majority of EU member states support issuing a loan, the loan will be granted not taking into account the objections of the Baltic States and Poland.