Energy Security, Situation in Georgia and EU-Russia Relations on Meeting Agenda between Prime Minister and German Chancellor
Updated 2008-09-03
In his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas expressed his appreciation for Germany’s continuous support for Lithuania’s Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as understanding of the issue of Lithuania’s energy security and its follow-up with energy suppliers.
Germany-Lithuania relations have also been discussed, Germany being one of the key political, trade and investment partners. Both Gediminas Kirkilas and Angela.Merkel agreed that, good as the bilateral relations were, there still remained space for improvement and development. A special attention was paid to cooperation in the areas of scientific research and IT.
The Prime Minister noted that, with a view to Lithuania’s energy integration in the EU energy market, the following projects are being developed: power bridges with Sweden, Poland and Germany, gas pipeline with Poland and Germany and LPG terminals in Lithuania. Kirkilas briefed the Chancellor on plans of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland to build a new nuclear power plant and thus reinforce regional energy security. The Prime Minister drew German Chancellor’s attention to the fact that following the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Lithuania would become dependent on Russian gas imported via Belarus, and gas power generation would increase Lithuania’s dependency on Russia, it would also result in higher electricity price, inflation, increased air pollution and slower GDP growth. According to the Prime Minister, the NPP Unit 2 (LTL 800 m invested to increase its security) has all the technical conditions to continue operation until 2012-2015. Further on energy, the Prime Minister talked about stepping-up efforts as regards energy efficiency and renewables. According to the Prime Minister, the European energy policy should be based on the principle of solidarity. It is also important to do our utmost to combat global warming. On carbon emission burden for MS, Kirkilas was convinced that Lithuania’s post-decommissioning situation should be taken into account as well as the progress made in relation to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions..
The German Chancellor said she understood what Lithuania was in for following the decommissioning of INPP, therefore she promised to call on for a serious deliberation of the issue by the Commission. Angela Merkel pointed out that the EU has to help Lithuania and other Baltic states lest these should continue as sole-supplier-dependent energy islands. “We have to look for the ways to resolve the problem, and we have to be fast”, said Angela Merkel.
The Prime Minister emphasized Germany’s rightful position supporting the principles of international law during Russia’s aggression in Georgia, adding that Russia’s conduct has been a matter of concern for all the international community. According to the Prime Minister, Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of Georgian break-away regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia flagrantly violates the fundamental principles of international law, stipulating that all states have to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other. According to the Prime Minister, the international community should not turn a blind eye on this, including the September European Council which should show its unity on the matter. “EU must have a flexible but unified position. It is of utmost importance“, said Kirkilas.
The Prime Minister and the chancellor also discussed prospects for EU-Russia relations as well as political developments in Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova.
Finally, Gediminas Kirkilas expressed the opinion that Europe must have common negative approach to totalitarian regime crimes, as communist totalitarian regime having claimed numerous victims in Central Europe, still remains beyond adequate scrutiny.
The Prime Minister noted that, with a view to Lithuania’s energy integration in the EU energy market, the following projects are being developed: power bridges with Sweden, Poland and Germany, gas pipeline with Poland and Germany and LPG terminals in Lithuania. Kirkilas briefed the Chancellor on plans of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland to build a new nuclear power plant and thus reinforce regional energy security. The Prime Minister drew German Chancellor’s attention to the fact that following the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Lithuania would become dependent on Russian gas imported via Belarus, and gas power generation would increase Lithuania’s dependency on Russia, it would also result in higher electricity price, inflation, increased air pollution and slower GDP growth. According to the Prime Minister, the NPP Unit 2 (LTL 800 m invested to increase its security) has all the technical conditions to continue operation until 2012-2015. Further on energy, the Prime Minister talked about stepping-up efforts as regards energy efficiency and renewables. According to the Prime Minister, the European energy policy should be based on the principle of solidarity. It is also important to do our utmost to combat global warming. On carbon emission burden for MS, Kirkilas was convinced that Lithuania’s post-decommissioning situation should be taken into account as well as the progress made in relation to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions..
The German Chancellor said she understood what Lithuania was in for following the decommissioning of INPP, therefore she promised to call on for a serious deliberation of the issue by the Commission. Angela Merkel pointed out that the EU has to help Lithuania and other Baltic states lest these should continue as sole-supplier-dependent energy islands. “We have to look for the ways to resolve the problem, and we have to be fast”, said Angela Merkel.
The Prime Minister emphasized Germany’s rightful position supporting the principles of international law during Russia’s aggression in Georgia, adding that Russia’s conduct has been a matter of concern for all the international community. According to the Prime Minister, Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of Georgian break-away regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia flagrantly violates the fundamental principles of international law, stipulating that all states have to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other. According to the Prime Minister, the international community should not turn a blind eye on this, including the September European Council which should show its unity on the matter. “EU must have a flexible but unified position. It is of utmost importance“, said Kirkilas.
The Prime Minister and the chancellor also discussed prospects for EU-Russia relations as well as political developments in Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova.
Finally, Gediminas Kirkilas expressed the opinion that Europe must have common negative approach to totalitarian regime crimes, as communist totalitarian regime having claimed numerous victims in Central Europe, still remains beyond adequate scrutiny.
