News

On 10 July, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  representatives of the European Union and Eastern Partnership countries – Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia – discussed how to strengthen cooperation in the field of energy security.

Simultaneous events took place in Vilnius dedicated to the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council - strengthening of the energy security and the enhancement of cooperation with  the Eastern Partnership countries:  the meeting of the Platform on Energy Security of the Eastern Partnership, an EU Strategic Group meeting for the development of energy cooperation with third countries, the energy security consultations of Lithuania and Moldova, and the first EU-Moldova Energy Expert Group Meeting.

The meeting of the Platform on Energy Security of the Eastern Partnership to discuss the platform activities for 2013–2015 and development of the oil infrastructure in the region was participated by Fabrizio Barbaso, Deputy Director General, Directorate General Energy, European Commission. At the meeting the participants stressed the importance of well-developed and modern energy infrastructure for the development of an effective and transparent energy market in the Eastern Partnership countries.

The meeting of EU Strategic Group for International Energy cooperation focused on the cooperation of EU institutions and EU Member States with third countries in order to discuss energy problems, and consider opportunities for dialogue in this area, especially with the Eastern countries. Meetings of this strategic group are considered as an important tool to ensure a unified EU voice in a dialogue on energy co-operation with third countries. The meeting participants were welcomed by EC DG Energy Deputy Director General F. Barbaso and Lithuania’s Vice Minister of Energy Alexander Spruogis.

Within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, in Vilnius were held Lithuanian-Moldovan energy security consultations, and the first EU-Moldova Energy Expert Group Meeting. It was held with the participation of experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministries of Energy of both countries. Moldova is particularly interested in Lithuania's experience in the implementation of EU energy policy requirements, national energy strategy, and strategic energy projects. Moldova is undertaking its energy sector reforms and seeks to implement the EU and the Energy Community provisions.

Lithuania and Moldova hold consultations on energy issues since 2011.

This dialogue of the European Union, the European Commission, the European External Action Service and six Eastern Partnership countries concerning energy issues and the results thereof are important for the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held on 28-29 November 2013 in Vilnius.