US Ambassador congratulates Lithuania on Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant progress

"In terms of where the project will go from here I would say it's on track now and I sincerely hope that all parties will work together to continue the progress and the US will remain supportive," Derse told journalists on Wednesday in comment of possible political uncertainties in connection to the project.

"So from the begining we supported that project and we have supported the broad energy security strategy of Lithuania and I congratulate the government and people of Lithuania on the great progress that has been made," the US diplomat said.

She emphasized that the nuclear project underway in Lithuania was unprecedented.

"A nuclear power project is a very significant investment and this one is unprecedented in a way because it might involve up to three-four countries, it involves the strategic investor. I am very pleased that General Electrics is going to be a part of the project. This is great American company and we think that in Lithuania you have experience, sound regulation is very important for a nuclear project and we have great cooperation between the US nuclear regulatory commission," the ambassador said.

In her words, the US supports nuclear energy and considers it an important part of the energy sector.

"Right now we have two new nuclear plants under construction in the US and four or five others are in the pipeline. And we believe that nuclear power is an important part of the sustainable energy mix," Derse told journalists.

Last week and this week, the Lithuanian parliament adopted a series of legal acts necessary for further implementation of the nuclear project. Political scientists told BNS that the laws passed by the parliament did not guarantee continuation and implementation of the project in a way planned by the current administration.

Political scientist Tomas Janeliūnas noted that the current ruling coalition could be ousted from the majority during the October general elections, stressing that opposition Social Democrats opposed the laws.