OREANDA-NEWS. On June 09, 2008 President Valdas Adamkus had lunch with ambassadors from EU countries residing in Lithuania, reported the Official website www.president.lt.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting was the energy security situation after the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in 2009. President Adamkus underlined that Lithuania would keep to its international as regards the decommissioning of Ignalina’s Unit Two; however it was essential to re-evaluate the subsequent threats posed to Lithuania’s national energy security.

Mr. Adamkus pointed out that Lithuania was totally dependant on a single energy supplier, while energy prices sky-rocketed after Lithuania had pledged to close its nuclear power plant. The Lithuanian president emphasized that he expected understanding from EU member states and the European Commission.

Valdas Adamkus also spoke about the Lithuanian-Polish power bridge project, noting that negotiations would be continued with energy companies from Poland and the Baltic States and also with partners in Europe. It was also essential for the Baltic States to build an electricity bridge to Sweden as soon as possible. The recently established national investor that will participate in the construction of a new nuclear block in Ignalina was also discussed.

“Lithuania will develop contacts with and further support its partner states in the East – those that are currently taking the test of reforms and aspiring to come closer to the EU and NATO,” Mr. Adamkus said.

The relationship between the EU and Russia was also touched upon at the meeting. President Adamkus pointed out that Lithuania spoke out for good-neighborly relations with Russia and for constructive solutions to problems that existed. He reminded about the recent inclusion of issues important to Lithuania into EU’s mandate for negotiating with Russia.

“I am glad that issues relevant to all EU member states and Lithuania will be discussed. It demonstrates our solidarity and willingness to seek, together with Russia, solutions to matters topical for the whole of the EU," Mr. Adamkus said, noting that Lithuania had no intention of blocking EU-Russia talks.