«I am pleased to say that we do not have any specific problems. We have common interests in some sectors, especially in terms of the European Union (EU), NATO, energy and transport sectors. Therefore, my official visit will be a confirmation of our friendship, our united position in negotiations with the EU concerning the next long term budget,»- President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite commented her two-day visit to Latvia, bnn-news.com reports.
Grybauskaite noted in her interview to Latvian Radio that this is an official visit – i.e. it carries a more or less representative nature. «Usually, such visits are not just related to problems, but to friendship, common values and good relation between countries. There are of course some question we need to discuss,»- Grybauskaite said.
She underlined: «I want to prove with my visit that our countries’ economic discipline policies are very similar. I also want to prove that Lithuania is interested in using your Incukalns gas storage facility and that it should become the central gas storage facility of Baltic States, which is why I plan to visit it during my stay,»- Grybauskaite said.
She also hopes that her meeting with the President of Latvia will progress in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere, because they are friends. «We often meet at international meetings. I hope that this visit will become another step, which will confirm that relations between Latvia and Lithuania are important to both, that our countries are stable and strong and that we are truly brotherly countries,»- Grybausakaite added.
When answering the question on the participation of both countries in the Visaginas NPP project, the President of Lithuania said that, first of all, this project will be regional and will support the region’s economy for the next 50 years.
«However, I would like to note that we are all interested in energy security in this region and we are also trying not to be dependent on one supplier. This means that all energy related projects, the goal of which is to strengthen our energy independence have not only commercial but geopolitical meaning as well. I believe it is necessary for the whole region to have additional independent sources of energy. On top of that, such a large project will stimulate economy not only in the energy sector, but in the service and construction sectors as well,»- Lithuanian President said.
She admitted that Baltic States were still unable to agree upon the most advantageous location for the construction of the LNG terminal. «Yes, right now, the European Commission is researching technical-economic argument for the project and the location for its construction. Lithuania will agree upon any decision the commission makes. In any case, we are construction our own small national terminal in Klaipeda,»- she added.
