Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas: we hope for the Commission’s strong support for the infrastructure projects carried out by Lithuania

Press release, 3 July 2017

Photo of the Office of the Seimas (author Olga Posaškova)

On Monday, 3 July 2017, Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, met with Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission, who was paying an official working visit to Lithuania. The meeting focused on European security, the Eastern Partnership, and the EU’s Energy Union.

The Speaker of the Seimas highlighted the threats posed by the Astravyets Nuclear Power Plant that is being constructed in Lithuania’s neighbourhood, the issue of funding further decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, and the importance of synchronisation of power systems with the European continental networks. The need for the Commission’s strong support on these issues was brought into focus during the meeting.

“Synchronisation with the continental Europe is currently among Lithuania’s top priorities in enhancing energy security. A resolute political decision has to be taken on the issue. We are equally looking forward to the Commission’s support in addressing the matter of funding of the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Thus, the Commission’s strong backing for the infrastructure projects carried out by Lithuania is of vital importance,” Mr Pranckietis said.

When referring to the energy policy, it was noted that the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline fell short of the declared objectives of the European Energy Union.

The Speaker of the Seimas indicated that the Eastern Partnership was one of the priorities of the Lithuanian foreign policy. Thus, the meeting was heavily focused on Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Mr Pranckietis handed in the Seimas’ plans on Ukraine and Georgia to Mr Timmermans and expressed his hope that the Commission would make a considerable contribution in assisting the implementation of the necessary reforms in these countries.

Photo of the Office of the Seimas (author Olga Posaškova)

The meeting was also attended by Gediminas Kirkilas, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas and Chair of the Committee on European Affairs; Vytautas Bakas, Chair of the Committee on National Security and Defence; Juozas Bernatonis, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Virginijus Sinkevičius, Chair of the Committee on Economics, and Andrius Kubilius, Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Affairs.

Dalia Vencevičienė, Senior Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6016, mob. +370 698 42 071, e-mail: [email protected]