Lithuanian president off to Prague to discuss war in Ukraine, energy with European leaders

  • 2022-10-06
  • BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS – Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda is on Thursday leaving for Prague to discuss the war in Ukraine and energy prices with European leaders. 

Nauseda will attend the first summit of the European Political Community, hosted by the Czech Republic, which is currently holding the EU's rotating presidency. 

In Prague, leaders of EU member states and 17 other European countries will discuss further support for Kiev and sanctions against Moscow, as well as energy independence and security.

On Friday, the Lithuanian president will take part in an informal meeting of the European Council that will focus on the EU's energy supply, the protection of critical infrastructure and economic issues.

Nauseda is heading to Prague amid a renewed discussion in Lithuania about whether the president or the prime minister should take part in such meetings. 

Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has said recently that Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte should go to the EU summit for talks on energy issues.

However, Nauseda, has said in response that representing the country in EU summits is a presidential function that he will not delegate to "anyone else". 

The prime minister maintains that energy is not a foreign policy issue falling within the president's competence. 

Last week, EU ministers approved the European Commission's proposals, tabled in mid-September, on how to reduce record-high electricity prices for consumers.

One of the proposals is to redistribute "excess" profits made by energy producers using cheaper sources, such as wind, solar, waste, nuclear or hydro power, by setting a cap of 180 euros per megawatt-hour on these profits. 

The issue is expected to be discussed at the EU summit.