Baltic Export, Baltic States – CIS, Energy, Latvia, Lithuania

"I usually try to stay away from political matters, but I would like to remind of 1991. At that time indeed, Russia could have had reasons to play this card, but it did not happen! Now we are a member of the European Union and NATO, and luckily Russia is only interested that we buy and timely pay for what we have bought," stressed Mikelsons. "I see no risks for Latvia that some politbureau in Russia might all of a sudden decide to turn off the tap."

Mikelsons explains that the gas and electricity supply systems of Latvia and Russia are tightly integrated. "In other words, the word "dependence" is of no use here. They need our cascade, we need their power," Mikelsons points out, reiterating, "I state once again, this is an integrated system."

In the interview, Mikelsons also comments that the situation in the Baltic countries in the wake of the Ignalina nuclear plant shutdown, writes LETA.

Mikelsons points out that currently the situation is quite unclear, and that further development of the Baltic energy market depends on the opening of the Estonian electricity market in April.

Latvenergo hopes to sell 400 to 500 GWh of electrical power to Lithuania in 2010, which is approximately five percent of Lithuania's client market, the utility company's trade and development department head, Gatis Junghans, predicts.

This past January, Latvenergo exported 30 GWh of electricity to Lithuania. On the other hand, Latvenergo's subsidiary in Lithuania Latvenergo Prekyba has signed contracts with 20 clients in the country, with talks currently being carried with another 20 clients.