“Proposals to let Achema, a large Lithuanian company, join the construction of the terminal are being put forward from time to time. I have to repeat once again what I have already stated before: Achema, its entire operations, production depend on gas supplied by Gazprom. Achema is the top user of Gazprom’s gas. And the talks on gas supply contracts are probably being continued all the time. Hence Achema’s participation in the construction of the new terminal could be very much affected by the conditions imposed by Gazprom,” Kubilius said in an interview with the Lithuanian Radio on Tuesday.
Achema’s involvement in this project might entail a conflict of interests, he said.
“It would be better both for Achema and Lithuania if the construction of the terminal is not affected by any conflict of interests when it might become unclear whether we negotiate our terminal with Achema or with Gazprom. The latter would look for ways to influence the construction of the terminal through Achema by imposing the requirements for long-term gas contracts, which Achema has to sign, in one way or another,” Kubilius said.
In his opinion, the model of the LNG facility’s funding has already been worked out and does not need any particular modifications.
In the fall of 2008, the Social Democratic government led by Gediminas Kirkilas and Achema established a joint venture Gamtinių Dujų Terminalas (Natural Gas Terminal) without any competitive tendering procedure. The joint venture was later liquidated. Achema was to hold 20 percent of shares in the company and planned to invest between 300 and 400 million litas (EUR 86.95-115.94m) in the LNG terminal project.
However, the project was suspended as the Special Investigation Service (STT) opened a pre-trial probe into alleged crimes against the state and abuse of service.
