Energy security in discussions with President of European Parliament
Updated 2008-09-18
On the last leg of the working visit to Brussels, Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas had a meeting with President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering. The Prime Minister briefed the President on Lithuania’s situation following the decommissioning of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and expressed hope that an appropriate solution would be found in cooperation with EU members and institutions.
The President of the European Parliament said he was for a reinforced energy security and mentioned supply diversification as one of instances for such reinforcement.
The latest developments in Georgia and EU’s role in restoring Georgia’s territorial integrity and infrastructure were also on the agenda.
On Belarus, Gediminas Kirkilas pointed out the importance for reducing visa fees for Belarusians, Moldavians, Ukrainians and Georgians. Hans-Gert Pöttering said it was important to continue support for Belarusian Humanities University operating in Lithuania with a view of advanced democratic developments in Belarus.
Gediminas Kirkilas and Hans-Gert Pöttering also discussed the need for better EU scrutiny of the crimes committed by totalitarian regimes. The Prime Minister welcomed European Parliament’s call to mark 23 August as the day of Nazi and Stalinist victims in Europe, which is an important step forward to pay tribute to victims of both totalitarian regimes.
According to the Prime Minister, having claimed numerous victims and lasted over half a century in Eastern Europe, the communist totalitarian regime has failed an adequate evaluation.
