REUTERS
Lithuania supports the position of Ukraine and Poland on the inexpediency of building the second line of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, through which gas can be transported from Russia to the EU countries bypassing Ukraine, as stated by Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis during the Ukrainian-Baltic Forum of Heads of Government of Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine.
"Lithuania is ready to support the position of Poland and Ukraine on the inexpediency and political nature of the project for the construction of the second line of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, which is lobbied by the Russian gas monopoly Gazprom, and welcomes the intention Ukraine to remain the key gas transit country for Europe," Skvernelis said.
According to him, Lithuania has decided to support the Polish side in the case, in which the launch of the Nord Stream-2 project is disputed.
Read alsoPM Groysman wants Ukraine-Lithuania trade to grow to US$1 bln"In return, we are also looking for new ways to supply liquefied gas from Lithuania - via our terminal," the head of the Lithuanian government said.
He also noted the importance for Ukraine to continue reforms in the energy sector and increase the level of competition in the industry.
"We appreciate your experience and are ready to offer assistance, including in the synchronization of your energy grid with that of the EU," he said, adding that Ukraine should remain the main transit route for Russian gas to EU countries.
As UNIAN reported earlier, former Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk had said that if Russia and some Western companies build the Nord Stream-2, it would deprive Ukraine of $2 billion in profits, Slovakia - of $0.8 billion, Poland – of $0.4 billion, and would also deprive the EU of real energy independence.
Read alsoReuters: EU seeks to negotiate with Russia over Nord Stream gas pipelineNord Stream 2 AG is a company established for the planning, construction and further use of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline. The company headquarters is located in Zug, Switzerland.
The North Stream-2 project involves the construction of two pipelines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year running from the Russian coast to Germany via the Baltic Sea. The new pipeline is to be built near the initial Nord Stream pipeline.
The Board of Directors of Gazprom on February 1 agreed to acquire another 50% of shares in Nord Stream 2 AG, according to the materials of Gazprom.
Previously, it was assumed that Gazprom's partners – Engie, OMV, Shell, Uniper and Wintershall – would become shareholders of Nord Stream-2 (with shares of 10%), but the creation of the joint venture was abandoned. The final structure of the project is not determined yet.