Lithuanian President: Klaipeda LNG Terminal to Be Launched by End of 2014

President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with Latvian President Andris Bērziņš and Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. It is a traditional annual meeting of the three Baltic presidents who gather to discuss topical regional issues and ways to strengthen cooperation among their countries. The heads of state placed special focus on common actions to ensure energy, economic, military and information security of the Baltic States.

“New challenges mobilize the Baltic States. The unity we had in our fight for freedom and independence now brings us together for collaborative work. We must work together to ensure the energy future of the region, looking for common solutions to combat the threats of the intensifying information war and resist economic pressure,” President Dalia Grybauskaitė said.

She noted that the search for alternatives to Russian gas and reduction of dependency on a single supplier remain as vital strategic objectives of the Baltic States. It is therefore crucial to speed up implementation of power links with Sweden, Poland and Finland, enhance permeability of the Baltic interconnections and ensure diversified energy supplies.

According to President Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union is an opportunity to speed up the implementation of energy projects that are important to all Baltic States. The European Commission has placed on the priority list 15 Baltic projects, including 6 projects from Lithuania. The projects will receive funding under the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020.

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to be launched at the end of 2014 in Klaipėda is one of the soonest alternatives to Gazprom gas, according to the President. This terminal could supply gas to Estonia and Latvia as well, if needed.

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LNG World News Staff, November 05, 2013; Image: president.lt