VILNIUS - Lithuania is drafting proposals for the European Union energy strategy, noting that Brussels should earmark some funds for the interconnection of the isolated energy systems of the Baltic countries with Western European grids.
"It should be set out in the documents because the West does not perceive the specific features of the Baltic countries as yet," Darius Zeruolis, deputy chancellor with responsibility for European Affairs, was quoted by the Verslo Zinios business daily as saying.
The government will also propose expanding the EU energy strategy with a provision stating that any member state should be entitled to choose its energy sources independently. In Lithuania's case, this would be nuclear power. The state believes EU energy interests should be protected with one voice at the World Trade Organization, OPEC and other international organizations.
Michael Schwarzinger, ambassador of Austria in Lithuania, has said that Austria, which holds the rotating EU presidency until July, would hold the considerations of the strategy at the European Council late in March. The European Commission is set to present its proposals in a month's time.
