During the official meeting at the Presidential Palace, a bilateral agreement on the statistical transfers of energy from renewable sources for target compliance purposes under Directive 2009/28/EC was signed in the presence of the two Heads of State. It is the first such agreement in the European Union whose idea originated when President Dalia Grybauskaitė visited Luxembourg in 2010.
According to the President, Lithuania sees Luxembourg as an important partner. The two nations are linked by successful political, economic and military cooperation ties, and their bilateral relations are now entering into a new quality phase. The agreement signed today is an excellent example of countries sharing achievements and assisting each other in delivering EU commitments.
The agreement provides for statistical transfers of a specified amount of energy from countries that are generating energy from renewable sources at a faster pace than projected to those countries who are not in a position to develop renewables.
Lithuania has already considerably exceeded its 20 percent target set by the European Union for 2020 as well as its commitment to achieve a 23 percent share in 2020.
At the present moment, renewable energy produced in Lithuania stands at 25.5 percent and it is expected to constitute more than 30 percent in 2020 – which would exceed the EU target for 2030.
Under the bilateral agreement, Luxembourg – which due to its size and geographic location cannot meet these commitments – will obtain the exceeded statistical indicators from Lithuania. The financial funds received (10 million euros) will be used for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
According to the President, the first Lithuania-Luxembourg business forum in Vilnius will bring a new dynamic to bilateral relations. A large business delegation from Luxembourg has arrived to the forum, which will be opened by President Dalia Grybauskaitė and Grand Duke Henri. Its focus will be set on creating new opportunities in logistics, transport, innovation, financial and information technologies.
Among the other issues discussed was military cooperation. President Dalia Grybauskaitė thanked Grand Duke Henri for his country's contribution to ensuring Lithuania’s security.
Even though it has a small army, Luxembourg has deployed its soldiers to NATO's forward battalion in Lithuania. Its rotational troops have been regularly taking part in military exercises in our country. With no air force of its own, Luxembourg contributes to the Baltic Air Policing mission through financial measures.
