"Moldova has achieved considerable progress over the past two years. We hope to have the EU's Association Agreement with Moldova initialed at the Vilnius Summit," the President underlined.
Yet another prerequisite for Moldova's comprehensive eurointegration is energy independence. The President pointed out that both Lithuania and Moldova face similar energy security challenges. Both countries are interested in eliminating energy isolation, reducing dependency on the monopolistic gas supplier and diversifying energy supplies.
According to the President, the implementation of the EU's Third Energy Package in Lithuania and in Moldova is an essential precondition for energy security. She emphasized that Lithuania was effectively putting energy projects into practice and was ready to assist Moldova by sharing its experience.
Lithuania will complete the construction of the LNG terminal in Klaipėda by the end of next year and build an electricity interconnection with Sweden in 2015. The implementation of the Third Energy Package will result in the unbundling of gas production from gas supply. These steps will ensure alternative and safe gas supplies, boost competition and strengthen energy security.
President Dalia Grybauskaitė stressed that Moldova had to keep up the rapid pace of European reforms. The European Union and Moldova have already completed negotiations on association and free trade agreements - which are expected to be initialed at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius this coming November. Moldova is successfully putting in place the legal requirements which are necessary for introducing the visa free regime with the European Union.
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