Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, Energy, Legislation, Lithuania, Transport

Andrius Kubilius and Sergei Sidorsky. Minsk, 2.07.2010.

The document summed up the results of the prime ministers' meeting in Minsk and provided for promoting cooperation in energy security issues and setting up a joint working group, which would carry out a feasibility study on the construction of a liquefied gas terminal in Lithuania with regard to a possible gas supply to Belarus by November 1, reports LETA/ELTA.

Another bilateral working group is supposed to carry out a feasibility study on oil supply to Belarus by sea and via Lithuania by November 1. According to the communication, the countries are ready to cooperate in nuclear energy issues.

The document also envisages strengthening transport cooperation by implementing the East-West transport corridor project. Particular attention should be given to the regional express train Vilnius-Minsk project. The Lithuanian and Belarusian Ministries of Transport were commissioned to present coordinated proposals by September 1.

Kubilius noted that the communication rounded off successful meetings with the prime minister of Belarus in Minsk and earlier in Vilnius.

"The communication on economic cooperation between Lithuania and Belarus shows that not only Lithuania is concerned about energy independence and energy security. This is a regional problem the solutions to which open interesting opportunities to cooperate with Belarus, while urging this country to mote towards to the European Union gradually," Kubilius said.