Energy integration EU goal

VILNIUS - All European Union member states should integrate into the common energy networks by 2016, reports ELTA. Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius highlighted this objective at a press conference which was taking place after the meeting of Butkevicius and Chairman of the Committee of the Regions Ramon Valcarcel.
“Our aim is to create opportunities not only for Lithuania, but for all EU member states to integrate into the common EU networks for energy. I think that this is the main task for all EU member states. The Committee of the Regions gives a lot of attention to this,” said Butkevicius.

The prime minister said that Lithuania’s aim was to diversify the gas market. “This aim will be reached as soon as we have the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal,” said Butkevicius.
The prime minister highlighted that it was necessary to raise the energy efficiency of the economy and to reduce the usage of energy resources. According to Butkevicius, all Baltic States were taking steps towards this.
“Many EU member states are implementing the programs of apartment-block renovations. As far as I know, not only Lithuania, but Estonia and Latvia as well have taken this step. This is one of the means to reduce the usage of energy resources,” said the prime minister.

When Butkevicius was asked how Lithuania planned the reduction of the usage of energy resources, the prime minister singled out several ideas.
“The current government has planned several ways which will help to reduce the usage of energy resources and to reduce the costs for people. First of all is the apartment-block renovations. The second way towards the reduction is related to the reform in the engineering networks, because these are old in many municipalities of Lithuania. Furthermore, the renovation of public buildings has been planned,” said Butkevicius.

During the meeting the issue of EU determination to create the competitive, stable and safe market for energy was discussed. Energy and domestic trade are the priorities for Lithuania’s Presidency of the European Union Council.