"Since the very start of the development of the Visaginas nuclear power plant project, we have been saying very clearly that if we don't build our plant, then the money that we pay for imported electricity will be used to build a nuclear facility in Kaliningrad. So it's not surprising that Russians are happy about this. But I see nothing for us to be happy about in this," he told the Lithuanian Radio.
Kubilius commented on a statement by Valery Yazev, the vice-chairman of a committee at the Russian State Duma, who said that a halt in the Visaginas project, hinted at by Lithuanian would-be Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius, creates new opportunities for the planned Baltic Nuclear Power Plant in Kaliningrad.
"Therefore, I am repeating my call on all parties and the next government to very carefully consider the tactics for implementing Lithuania's long-term independence strategy and not to act in a way that would eventually prove absolutely disadvantageous for us who live in Lithuania," the outgoing prime minister said.
Butkevičius said last week that the Visaginas project, which was initiated by the Conservatives and turned down by the majority of voters at last month's referendum, will not be implemented. At the same time, the Social Democratic leader added, "We are not against nuclear energy."
The Baltic NPP project was launched at the start of last year. It was announced that the plant's first unit would begin to operate between 2016 to 2017.
