FM urges Baltic power link

RIGA-To ensure energy security for the Baltic states need itis necessary to build power links between Estonia and Finland, Lithuania andPoland and the Swedish power link, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said inan interview with Latvijas Avize daily.

 

"The most important thing is that all three Baltic states realize the significance of the energysecurity issues. Latvia and Lithuania have only yet to agree to whichcountry the link will be laid from Sweden. And it means that in thefuture, all energy markets have to be open," said Paet.

 

 "Maybe I am toooptimistic, but it ought to be done by 2015, when we should have single Balticand Nordic energy market," the Estonian minister continued.

Paet said concrete steps will have to be taken by this time that that it wasgood the European Commission's plan and five billion euro worth of funding wasin place for this purpose.

"Such energy space must become our priority. The next project,  the nuclear power plant in Visaginas [Lithuania],has been delayed unfortunately. Only three years ago we were hoping that theproject will be advanced much faster. Hopefully, in the first half of March thethree Baltic prime ministers and representatives of energy companies will takea real decision with far-reaching consequences," Paet said, noting thatEstonia is already considering building its own nuclear power plant.

Energy security issues have become increasingly important in the Baltic statesthat face the prospects of energy shortages after Lithuania shuts down its nuclearpower plant in Ignalina at the end of this year.