Energy security discussed in Minsk

VILNIUS - Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky and Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius have signed a communique on economic cooperation, focusing mostly on energy security issues, reports news agency ELTA. The document summed up the results of the prime ministers’ meeting in Minsk and provided for promoting cooperation in energy security issues. It also set up a joint working group to carry out a feasibility study on the construction of a liquefied gas terminal in Lithuania, with regard to a possible gas supply route to Belarus by Nov. 1.

Another bilateral working group is supposed to carry out a feasibility study on oil supply to Belarus by sea, via Lithuania, by Nov. 1. According to the communique, the countries are ready to cooperate on nuclear energy issues.
The document also envisages strengthening transport cooperation by implementing the East-West transport corridor project. Particular attention should be given to the regional express train Vilnius-Minsk project. The Lithuanian and Belarusian Ministries of Transport were commissioned to present coordinated proposals by Sept. 1.

Kubilius noted that the communique rounded off successful meetings with the prime minister of Belarus in Minsk and earlier in Vilnius. “The communique on economic cooperation between Lithuania and Belarus shows that not only Lithuania is concerned about energy independence and energy security. This is a regional problem the solutions to which open interesting opportunities to cooperate with Belarus, while urging this country to move towards to the European Union gradually,” Kubilius said.