PM: Opposition to NPP might be related to Eastern influence

VILNIUS - Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius (pictured) finds it hard to say why the Social Democrats, who are in the opposition now, are so opposed to the construction of the Visaginas nuclear power plant (NPP). However, he points out the annual report 2011 of the State Security Department (VSD), presented yesterday, which says that some foreign countries are deliberately trying to hinder the nuclear project.

"() one could take into account the recent report of the VSD which notes that there has been a number of attempts to hinder the implementation of major energy projects. Among those trying to prevent them are our Eastern neighbors from the third countries. We have witnessed efforts to provide misleading information and influence the opinion of the nation. That could have influenced our politicians as well," he said Thursday morning on the radio Ziniu Radijas.

The PM also said that the state should not limit itself to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal only, as the Social Democrats propose. According to Kubilius, both the projects of the LNG in Klaipeda and the NPP in Visaginas are of essential importance to the country as one would secure gas energy independence, while the other would guarantee electricity energy security to Lithuania.