“I know that other European Union member states face difficulties in the milk sector as well; however, Lithuania has suffered from Russia’s embargo most. We are grateful for the European Commission for the national support measures that have already been offered, and we actively make use of all of them; we also do everything we can on the national level. Yet Lithuania needs additional financial support from the EU for the milk producers, so that the milk sector survives this highly difficult period. Today, the milk sector situation remains critical and is deteriorating in Lithuania, hence milk producers urgently need targeted support from the EU”, said the Head of Government, and added that the request for support has been voiced since the start of the year.
President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has welcomed Lithuania’s efforts in dealing with the milk crisis, and has acknowledged the fact that Lithuania had suffered from Russia’s embargo on foodstuffs most. The Head of the European Commission has promised to discuss support for Lithuania with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan.
The Prime Minister said in the meeting that he understands that Lithuania cannot expect exceptional conditions, and has asked to review possibilities to deal with the matter systemically. The President of the European Commission has promised to do so.
Another important issue discussed was the synchronisation of the Baltic electricity grid with the continental European networks. “This is not only the guarantor of the energy security for Lithuania, but it also a matter for the agenda of the entire EU’s Energy Union; therefore, the European Commission’s support is of particular relevance”, said Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius, adding that given the further dependency of the Baltic countries on the supply from the third countries, the EU’s strategic goal of a single Energy Union would fail its full implementation.
“It is highly important for Lithuania that the completion of the European Commission’s commissioned evaluation of alternatives of the Baltic grid synchronization is efficient and timely: by the end of October”, noted the Head of Government.
The Prime Minister drew attention of the President of the European Commission to the issue of safety of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. “Lithuania is particularly concerned about the safety of the nuclear power plant built in Astravets, Belarus. Looking back on the Chernobyl tragedy and its consequences for Lithuania, as well as the Nordic countries, all safety-related checks should be a must. We are considering refusal to buy electricity from the unsafe nuclear power plant in Belarus, as a last resort. What we need is unanimous opinion on this issue in the region”, said the Prime Minister.
The President of the European Commission said that the Commission supports Lithuania’s stance on the environmental and nuclear safety requirements for the Astravets NPP, and stressed the need for raising safety issues on a regular basis.
