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Your Excellences,

Dear Participants of the Conference,

I am honoured to open this Conference organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy and US Embassy in Vilnius. It is highly valuable that three organizers have joined their efforts in respect of one of the most challenging topics of today: opportunities for states to change dynamics of current political and economic relationships created by modern shale gas technology.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Having achieved its independence by more than 20 years ago Lithuania is nevertheless highly dependent in economic terms. Today one dominant energy supplier is supposed to ensure resources for around 80 per cent of Lithuania’s energy needs. This dependence has increased even more after closure of Ignalina nuclear power plant in 2009. The European Union has fully acknowledged sensitivity of such high level of energy dependence by indicating Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as energy islands to be eliminated until 2015.

Stable and reliable energy supply, diversification of routes and suppliers of energy resources, as well as interconnectivity of energy networks are of critical importance not only to Lithuania. It is symbolic that representatives from the states that are our neighbours and strategic partners will share their knowledge and perceptions on ways and choices in respect of enhancing energy security with the help of shale gas and oil resource exploitation. Energy debate is one of the priorities for Lithuania as we strive to achieve not only higher level of energy independence but also our national energy efficiency. Lithuania is implementing a number of projects focused on diversification of our energy sources and improvement of our energy efficiency: new regional nuclear power plant in Visaginas, power interconnections with Sweden and Poland, Liquefied natural gas terminal and others. All of them are included in European Union Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP).

One of the ways to strengthen energy security is to introduce in energy mix shale gas and oil as elements, which are seen as attractive alternative to natural gas supply from one dominant supplier in nowadays context. Monopolistic natural gas prices for Lithuania make a pressure for our Government to explore all opportunities to change the rules of game in our energy market. Latest developments of shale gas exploitation technologies and comparatively low shale gas price in United States market produce incentives for other countries to explore substantively US experience and to learn how to implement best practices. In this context I would like to thank United States Department of State for launching the Global Shale Gas Initiative in April 2010 in order to help countries seeking to utilize their unconventional natural gas resources to identify and develop them safely and economically. Lithuania has been actively participating in this Initiative in the framework of International Visitor Leadership Program. Taking into account that shale gas issues are already being actively discussed in Poland, which is known as being fastest shale gas industry developer in our region, as well as in a number of other Central and Eastern European countries, I sincerely believe that today’s event will contribute to the process of expanding opportunities not only to Lithuania but also to the whole region. I also hope that representatives from international business will find our Conference both interesting and encouraging entering our market on mutually beneficial basis.

And finally, I am especially happy to see among today’s presenters, discussants and participants many environmental specialists. I am convinced that their expertise and knowledge of environmental aspects of shale gas industry will bring transparency and clarity on this issue. It is very important to have first-hand information from experts directly involved in ensuring highest standard of environmental and health safety and security in the process of exploitation of shale gas resources. I hope that sharing information on best practices will bring more confidence and rational judgments in respect environmental and health concerns reflected in today’s mass media. I sincerely believe that grounded environmental concerns will receive professional explanations today and we will proceed responsibly with implementation of modern and promising unconventional energy technologies.

I am truly convinced that our views and findings expressed in today’s Conference will be heard and our efforts will generate positive results. I want to encourage you to actively engage in sharing your knowledge and suggestions which I regard as an important contribution to our joint work.

I wish for all of us interesting, exciting and successful event.

Thank You.