BNS: Lithuanian PM expects solution on Swedish power link soon
Updated 2009-02-17
VILNIUS, Feb 17, BNS - Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius expects that in the near future, Lithuania, Latvia and Sweden will reach a three-way solution regarding a planned power link spanning the Baltic Sea. "As is so often the case, reaching an agreement between neighbors is more difficult than with someone living further away. Perhaps the Latvians, our neighbors, see no need to hurry, but possibly all three of us -- the Swedes, Latvians and Lithuanians -- can sit down and find a common solution," Kubilius said in an interview with Lithuanian Radio on Tuesday.
"I believe that these discussions will be soon over," he said. He said that Lithuanian government is not satisfied with the current stalemate in discussions on the so-called "power bridge" to Sweden, adding that the countries must find a three-way solution.
Kubilius, who left for a two-day visit to Stockholm on Tuesday, expects constructive discussions with his Swedish counterpart, as well as with ministers and energy company officials.
The Baltic prime ministers and the heads of energy companies are to meet in Vilnius on Mar. 9. "I expect that we will have made significant progress by that time," the Lithuanian head of government said.
