Adamkus: EU takes responsibility for Ignalina issues

VILNIUS 'sLithuanian President Valdas Adamkus has said that the European Union willassume joint responsibility for problems that may arise after the scheduledclosure of the country's nuclear power at Ignalina.

Conclusions adopted by the European Council call forsolidarity in the case of an energy crisis, the president's press service saidafter Adamkus spoke at a EC session on Thursday.

"This solidarity is especially important for Lithuania and the whole Baltic region," said Adamkus in a press release.

According to the press release, the Lithuanian president thanked the EU's presiding country France,European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso and leaders of EUcountries for their commitment to work out an action plan for the Baltic states.

The president had previously said that the country wouldface "energy bankruptcy" following the closure of the plant if it was not ableto secure energy links with Swedenand Poland.

"We have to make a concerted effort to avoid yet anotherbankruptcy, this time in the energy sector," he said.

"The Baltic States, having nointerconnections with the EU, cannot in practical terms avail themselves oftheir partner's solidarity", Adamkus said in the European Council sessionWednesday.

The Lithuanian head-of-state thanked the EC for its substantial contribution in preparing aplan of action for enhancing energy security in Lithuaniaand the entire region.

Though the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in2009 was one of the stipulations for Lithuaniato join the EU, the country had repeatedly tried to get the power plant'slifespan extended. In a meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister GediminasKirkilas, however, EC head Jose Manuel Barroso said that the EU would not allowthe plant to stay open passed its scheduled closure.