"The implementation of EU Projects of Common Interest will undoubtedly contribute to the successful development of EU energy infrastructure. It is an important intermediate step towards the EU internal energy market which should ensure proper conditions for the economic growth and the competitiveness of Europe," said Lithuanian Minister of Energy Jaroslav Neverovič.
The EU internal energy market with the developed infrastructure will allow EU countries to use alternative sources of energy, ensuring its flow between EU countries. It will help reduce the influence of monopolies in the energy sector. In this way, competitive energy prices for consumers and businesses will be ensured between EU countries.
The list of Projects of Common Interest proposed by the European Commission includes energy infrastructure projects of regional importance. In the project list, the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) is highlighted as one of the regional initiatives. The list of projects of common interest includes six BEMIP energy infrastructure projects that are implemented with the involvement of Lithuania. The implementation of these projects will help Lithuania break free from its current energy isolation, and become a full-fledged member of the EU integrated energy network.
The conference will bring together high-level guests, including the Member States' governments, Members of the European Economic Area and the Energy Community, EU institutions, financial institutions, regulators and project promoters. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy, Jaroslav Neverovič, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania, Jerzy Buzek, Member of European Parliament, and Fatih Birol, Chief Economist at the International Energy Agency. Participants will be welcomed by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania. This conference is one of the most important events during the Lithuanian Presidency on the energy policy agenda.
Information for media:
The conference will be held at the Merchants' Club (Gedimino Av. 35), the latest details of the conference program can be found here. The Conference will be broadcast live on the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union webcast portal: http://www.eu2013.lt/lt/general/live/
At the beginning of the conference, during the welcoming speeches (from 14:00 p.m.), media representatives can film and take photos. Journalists filming and taking photos please arrive before 13:45 p.m.
Press conference of the Minister of Energy J. Neverovič and Commissioner for Energy G. Oettinger will be held at 6 p.m. November 4 (Monday) at the conference venue. Press representatives are welcome to attend.
