Baltic States – CIS, Energy, EU – Baltic States, Gas, Latvia, Transport

Krisjanis Karins.

When asked to comment on the discussion about the location of the terminal, Karins admitted that it is all about politics. Lithuania, for example, sustains the discussion only because it relates to its constituency. "Lithuania is even more dependent on Russian gas, and their voters demand immediate solutions. That is why they are so active," said Karins, adding that Lithuania will not solve anything without the help of Latvia.

In speaking about the discussion in Latvian domestic policy, Karins pointed at the Union of Greens and Farmers, which is highly related to Ventspils. "There is a pitiful custom in our country – if there is some EU money, it goes to Ventspils," he said. According to the EP Communication on Energy Infrastructure Priorities for 2020 and Beyond, only the cheapest project with the greatest return will get support, writes LETA/

In today's EP plenary session in Strasbourg, voting for the aforementioned communication will take place. The communication comprises different solutions to end the energy isolation of the Baltic States and their dependence on Russian gas supplies. One of the authors of the report is Krisjanis Karins.

The communication provides for the financial support from the EU in order to end the isolation. The Baltic States have to agree on a single liquefied natural gas terminal to apply for the funding.

The communication supports the idea of a single energy supply network in Europe that would ensure safe energy resources traffic and avert problems concerning energy supply. A single EU energy market will not only increase the safety of energy supply, but also ensure the lowest possible price for the consumers. It will create new opportunities to include renewable energy resources in the energy market.

The communication indicates new criteria for the construction of energy infrastructure: alignment with the single market, increase in competition, reduction of market concentration, market liquidity, solutions for the dependency on one supplier, and renewable energy resources inclusion in the market.

The six-month work of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy on EU energy infrastructure development, which will serve as the foundation of EC legislation initiative, will end with the voting.

World's largest extractor of natural gas, Russian company Gazprom will do everything in its power to prevent competition, the company is also interested to keep the Baltic States divided, EP’s Member from Latvia Karins also told "Rietumu Radio" today.

"Lithuanians and Estonians are not entirely sure about our government's support for liberalization of gas market, according to the European Union's directive. The representatives of Gazprom subsidiary in Latvia continue fighting against market liberalization, because they do not want to lose their monopoly," said Kalnins and added that the situation is also similar in Lithuania and Estonia.

"If the Baltic States are united, the days of gas supply monopoly will be numbered," believes Karins. The competition will also benefit consumers, since the price for gas supply will be lower.

"If we reach consensus, Europe will lend a helping hand in construction of the liquefied natural gas terminal. However, Europe will not wait forever – there are other candidates as well. At the moment, we have the priority, and if we manage to reach an agreement, the project will be implemented," said Karins.