OREANDA-NEWS. June 18, 2012. President Dalia Grybauskaite, currently on a state visit in Latvia, met with Latvian President Andris Berzins. The Presidents discussed the aspects of bilateral and regional cooperation, joint energy projects and their positions in negotiations on EU's new financial perspective, with the highest focus on the strengthening of energy security.

According to the President, energy independency of both countries will be possible only after diminishing dependence on a single supplier and full integration into European power and gas networks. This is a key priority of the Lithuanian-Latvian cooperation and energy policies of the two countries.

"Gas prices in the world are falling, yet, being dependent on a single supplier we considerably overpay for gas every year. Lithuania is building a liquefied natural gas terminal and Latvia has an excellent infrastructure of gas storage facilities. By joining efforts, we could faster ensure the competitive prices and energy security," the President said.

The President underlined that the LNG terminal in Klaipeda and the planned gas connections with other neighboring countries will serve to ensure an alternative gas supply. Upon implementing the 3rd energy package and separating gas transmission networks from the supplier, the state will have a controlling interest in the main pipelines' management company and will be able to ensure competition in the gas market. The study of the Lithuanian-Polish gas link is currently under way. This link would connect the gas transportation systems of the Baltic States and the European Union. The Lithuanian and Polish Presidents already in 2010 achieved, through joint effort, the inclusion of this project in the list of EC supported projects.

Today, the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament) approved the laws necessary for the construction of the Klaipeda LNG terminal.

According to the President, by expanding the underground gas storage facilities in Incukalns and Dobele Latvia can ensure long-term capacities of gas tanks. She said that cooperation between the Klaipeda LNG terminal and the Incukalns underground gas storage facility would yield maximum benefits to the gas market of the Baltic States.

The Visaginas NPP project is also important for the energy security of Lithuania and Latvia as it can serve as impetus to the country's economy for the decades to come. Dalia Grybauskaite informed the Latvian President about consideration of the laws relating to the Visaginas NPP in the Lithuanian Parliament and thanked, once again, Latvia for the repeatedly voiced political support to this project.

The European Commission also stated its opinion concerning the Visaginas nuclear power plant planned to be built in Lithuania. According to the Commission's assessment, the project meets the goals of the Euratom Treaty, helps to form a sustainable combination of energies on both the national and regional levels, and contributes to the security of energy supply in the Baltic region and to the full-fledged integration of the Baltic States into EU's internal energy market.

This month, Lithuania will be connected to the Baltic-Nordic electricity market "NordPool". Latvia is going to connect next year.

The meeting discussed the Lithuanian-Latvian cooperation in NATO and joint efforts for strengthening the military security of the two countries. Joint efforts have served to adopt in Chicago the decisions of key importance for the people of the Baltic countries - the extension of NATO's air policing mission indefinitely, collective defence guarantees, approved measures to implement contingency plans, no division into missile defence sectors, and the protection of Allies by a full-fledged, effective and independent NATO missile defence system.

Both countries will also cooperate in implementing the objectives of smart defence. Latvian representatives intend to participate in the activities of Lithuanian-based Centers for Energy Nuclear Security.

The Presidents have also coordinated their positions in the negotiations on a new EU's financial perspective. Lithuania and Latvia will seek to achieve a non-discriminatory treatment of the Baltic States in distributing the structural aid, aiming at its fairer allocation to farmers.

Both countries will coordinate their 2030 strategies.

The leaders agreed to contribute personally to cherishing the Baltic culture and preserving the Baltic identity, and to celebrate the Baltic Unity Days more widely.

During their bilateral meeting, the Presidents of Lithuania and Latvia exchanged the state decorations of their countries. President Dalia Grybauskaite presented the Latvian leader with the Order of Vytautas the Great with Golden Chain - for his personal contribution to promoting bilateral relations and enhancing the political, cultural, economic and social cooperation of the two countries. President Andris Berzins bestowed Dalia Grybauskaite with Latvia's state decoration - Cross of Recognition.

Later in the day, the President will discuss the economic cooperation matters with the Prime Minister of Latvia. The Lithuanian leader will also lay flowers at the Peace Monument and will visit the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Tomorrow, the President will meet with the Speaker of the Parliament and will pay a visit to the Incukalns LNG storage facility.