Energy, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Lithuania, Security

"Lithuania is concerned about the actions of Russia and Belarus in planning nuclear objects in the EU's neighbourhood. Therefore, last month's decision taken by the EU Heads of State to require guaranteeing nuclear safety within the EU and in its neighbourhood is especially important to Lithuania and the entire EU," the Deputy Minister stressed. On 24-25 March, the European Council agreed that the EU would require that stress tests be carried out to review the safety of all EU nuclear plants and of those in the neighbouring countries, regarding both existing and planned plants. Moreover, the European Commission has been asked to propose any improvements to the safety of nuclear installations in the EU's neighbourhood that may be necessary.

During the consultations, officials also discussed the initiatives of strengthening the EU's economic governance, possibilities for further cooperation in assessing crimes of totalitarian regimes at the EU level, progress of the implementation of the EU's Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Baltic Sea and the EU enlargement process.

They also discussed the planned joint events, dedicated to the twentieth anniversary of international recognition of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Lithuania welcomed initiatives of Estonia's Presidency of the Baltic Council of Ministers on energy and transportation issues, and initial proposals to simplify the organization's structure.

During the visit, Deputy Minister Meilunas met with Undersecretary for European Union Affairs of the Estonian Foreign Ministry and Chairman of the Estonian Parliament's European Union Affairs Committee Taavi Roivas.