VILNIUS - Lithuanian officials have managed to persuade Poland to file a joint application to the European Commission for financing the much-discussed power link-up project, the daily Lietuvos Zinios reported on Dec. 14.
"It appears that the Poles have softened their position. They no longer say that they do not need this line and are ready to cooperate," Jonas Kazlauskas, an Economy Ministry official, was quoted as saying.
He said working groups from the two neighboring countries have recently approved a document that was prepared a long time ago and agreed to ask the EU executive body to arrange joint consultations.
A connection between the Lithuanian and Polish power grids would reduce the dependence of the Baltic energy systems on Russia, enhance the reliability of electricity supply after the closure of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and give access to the European electricity market.
A feasibility study worked out for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has put the total cost of the power link project at 434 million euros. The experts recommended that Lithuania and Poland contribute one-third of the cost, with the rest to be provided by the European Union in the form of grants.