Poland Only Feasible Gateway To Europe, Says Lithuania
While Lithuania is trying to get closer to Poland, Ukraine continues its internal gas fight. Vilnius reiterated it will try to “remove dependency from Russia”. It is intentioned to integrate its energy markets with the electricity and gas markets of the European Union. According to the government, Poland is the only possible gateway.
“Poland is the only feasible gateway for our synchronization with the Continental European Network. Therefore, we very much count on support and cooperation of our strategic partner” Vice-Minister of Energy Aleksandras Spruogis said on Wednesday, as written by Lithuania-focused Delfi on Friday.
Spruogis reportedly explained that the government led by Dalia Grybauskaitė want to get rid of any Russian influence on Lithuanian soil, adding that infrastructures are key to achieve this goal.
The Vice Minister also spoke about Russian propaganda and the need to counter Moscow’s influence in this field. Lithuania is the staunchest supporter of Ukraine’s government moves toward the European Union.
Earlier this week, European Union granted maximum financial assistance to the Spatial Planning and Engineering Design Works of the Poland-Lithuania Gas Interconnection project.
UKRAINE AND ITS INTERNAL MOVES
Meanwhile, Kiev continues in its attempt to find another system to manage its gas and energy infrastructures. Also on Thursday, Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk voiced once more his commitment to increase the number of firms paying for the use of gas distribution networks.
‘He recalled that private companies of Firtash, Lyovochkin illegally use state-owned gas distribution networks, and they have to pay money for it, as provided by the law’ reads a note released by his office.
In a separate communiqué published on Friday, Yatsenyuk tried to give some proof of leadership, saying that the government will be united in the coming months to progress with the transition toward the European Union.
According to NATO, Russia’s increased focus on the defence sector could have serious repercussions in the entire region.
‘We… are concerned by Russia’s efforts and stated plans for further military build-up in the Black Sea region, which will potentially have further implications for the stability of the region. We are also deeply concerned by statements of the Russian leadership with regard to possible future stationing of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems in Crimea’ reads the joint statement of the NATO-Ukraine Commission released on Wednesday.