"Without a doubt, issues of sustainable energy at acceptable prices are among the most important ones in the efforts to achieve economic development, create of jobs and competition. I want to emphasize that enhancing energy security in consolidation of energy infrastructure and integration of energy systems in the framework of the creation of the single EU energy market and external energy policies is one of the key priorities of Lithuania's Council presidency," Kirkilas said.
"Many know that the price paid by Lithuania for energy resources is among the highest in all of the EU, therefore, Lithuania supports the May 22 decisions of the European Council on the guidelines in four areas that would allow the EU to improve competition and address the problem of high costs and expenditures in order to urgently create a functioning and interconnected internal energy market, create more favorable conditions for the necessary investments in energy, diversify the European energy supplies and improve the efficiency of energy consumption," he added.
In his speech, the European Affairs Committee chairman said that Lithuania is still an island in the EU's internal energy market. Therefore, the country agrees with the European Council that it is important to implement earlier goals of completing the internal energy market by 2014 and building the connections by 2015 to keep member-states connected to European gas and power networks.
Currently the price paid by Lithuania for Russian gas is 20-30 percent higher than the one paid by other European nations.
EP President Martin Schulz and members of the EP conference of presidents in charge of strategic decisions are visiting Lithuania this week. On Friday, the EP conference of presidents met with top officials, group elders and committee presidents of the Lithuanian parliament.
