Ontmoeting tussen Eurocommissaris Oettinger en President Litouwen over energie (en)

President Dalia Grybauskaitė i met with the European Commissioner for Energy, Günther Oettinger i. The meeting focused on most topical EU energy issues - emerging threats to energy security and EU's energy independence. The President and the Commissioner also reviewed the implementation of energy projects in Lithuania and in the whole of Europe, as well as the building of the EU internal energy market.

During the meeting, Dalia Grybauskaitė presented to Günther Oettinger the Grand Cross of the Order for Merits to Lithuania. This decoration was bestowed on the Commissioner for his active support to Lithuania's energy policy and implementation of energy projects.

"With agreements on essential energy reforms in place, EU member states are moving towards greater energy independence. However, reaching an agreement is not enough - it is important to implement it as soon as possible. High energy prices - one of the major obstacles to boosting the EU competitiveness. In order to reduce the prices, it is crucial to ensure the security of energy supplies and complete the EU internal energy market. Only solidarity of all member countries will lead to success," the President said.

According to the President, energy independence and search for alternatives to Russian gas - issues of importance to Lithuania - have become a pan-European concern. As long as common strategic solutions are not implemented, Europeans will pay political, not market prices, with a difference of 30 percent between them.

The President underlined that despite the pressure from the outside, it is necessary to accelerate the implementation of energy projects leading to greater energy independence of the member states as well as more transparent and competitive energy market.

The Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council places a special focus on completing the EU internal energy market, implementing the Third Energy Package, and eliminating the energy islands.