During his working visit to Greece, Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas continued to look for EU solidarity in addressing Lithuania’s energy security problems.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed his Greek counterpart Kostas Karamanlis on the post-decommissioning of Ignalina Nuclear Power Station and expressed hope that an appropriate solution would be found in cooperation with other EU members. Kirkilas confirmed that Lithuania would continue consultations with the European Commission and leader of EU member states as regards slow decommissioning of the nuclear power station concerned.

According to the Prime Minister, Baltic energy security could be reinforced through power bridges with Sweden and Poland, gas pipeline to Poland, liquefied petroleum gas terminal, larger share of renewables in Lithuania’s energy balance, energy efficiency programmes, also the extension of the lifespan of Ignalina NPP Unit II, which was confirmed as secure by TATENA, and finally a joint project by the four Baltic states: a new nuclear power station in Lithuania.

The Prime Minister underlined that Lithuania aspires to integrate in the UCTE and Nordic energy markets.
Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis pointed out that Greece was interested to have Lithuanian energy security problem addressed at the highest level of the EU.

Other issues on the agenda were: EU single external policy, diversification of energy supply and Nabucco gas pipeline.
Bilateral relations were also discussed in the meeting. Prime Minister Kirkilas underlined the importance of Greece as political partner in the context of future EU presidency in 2013. On the other hand, the Prime Minister noted the need for an advanced development of bilateral economic relations. Karamanlis agreed that mutual investment should be stepped up.

The counterparts also discussed the prospects as regards EU neighbourhood, EU enlargement, political situation in western Balkans, as well as election outcome in Belarus. The prime ministers agreed that Ukraine and Georgia should be granted NATO membership action plan by the end of the year.

Gediminas Kirkilas and Kostas Karamanlis also discussed the evaluation of crimes committed by totalitarian regimes at EU level.