Energy, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Lithuania, Railways, Transport

Laimdota Straujuma and Algirdas Butkevicius. Rokiskis, 18.09.2015. Photo: flickr.com

During the meeting, the two sides were in agreement that work must be continued on priority energy projects like improving electricity inter-connections, the synchronization of electric energy systems with European electric energy networks, as well as the creation of a Baltic regional gas market.

Current infrastructure like the LNG terminal in Klaipeda and the Incukalns gas-storage facility will be used for these aims. At the same time, it is also important to develop new gas connections.

Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma said after the meeting that a Latvian-Lithuanian memorandum on cooperation in the gas market will be signed.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius expressed satisfaction that there are frequent meetings recently between Latvia and Lithuanian ministers on matters related to energy.

Also during the meeting, the two sides expressed their commitment to continue work on the Rail Baltica high-speed rail project, which would further the integration of the Baltic region into the European transportation network.

As a part of this, the Latvian side also mentioned the Mazeikiai-Renge rail line, which was dismantled by the Lithuanian side several years ago, and that rail traffic should be restored.