In her words, independence of a country, including energy independence, is the only way to ensure security for the country's people.
"Independence of a country, including in the energy sphere, is a difficult but the sole way to ensure that people are secure. Only by resisting blackmail, implementing reforms in the energy sector, and promoting competition will we ensure energy independence and fair prices," Grybauskaitė said in a statement following her meeting with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
According to the statement, Lithuania and Moldova are dependent on a single supplier of gas paying higher prices than most of Western European countries.
The presidents also discussed Moldova’s European integration process and ways to ensure energy independence.
According to Grybauskaitė, Europe sees Moldova as a country which has made the greatest progress among the eastern neighbors of the EU. The President noted that only by maintaining the momentum of its reforms, will Moldova be able to complete negotiations on the association and free trade agreement and visa liberalization. Lithuania is ready to share with Moldova the necessary experience, the statement reads.