February 14 / 2011
Baltic Prime Ministers: synchronous integration of the Baltic States into the European Continental Power Network should become a EU priority
The Baltic Council of Ministers in Estonia has produced a letter of the three Baltic Prime Ministers to the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, welcoming the strategic guidelines and priorities of the EU energy policy and expressing the commitment of the three Baltic States to integrate in the EU energy network (ECN) through synchronized connections.
Prime Minister of Lithuania A. Kubilius and Presidnet of the European Council Herman van Rompuy. Photo: Elta
The Prime Ministers take note of the fact that the European Council has put energy on top of the European political agenda, as well as the relevance of the key priorities of the European Commission’s Communications for the Baltic States, particularly as regards elimination of energy islands by 2015. On the other hand, the letter expresses concerns about the Baltic countries remaining integrated in the energy system of Russia (UPS / IPS), despite their interconnections with the neighbouring EU states. Therefore, the Baltic Prime Ministers urge to address the issue of interconnecting the Baltic States to the European Continental Network at the EU level.
The political statement of the three Baltic Prime Ministers builds on earlier appeal by the Baltic transmission system operators regarding the simultaneous accession to the UCTE (currently – ENSTO-E). At that time, a formal synchronous connection procedure failed to be launched due to the lack of a feasibility study.
The study on the synchronous integration into the European Continental Power Network was launched in January this year, and it is expected to provide all the answers needed to formally begin accession procedure.
As Prime Minister Mr Kubilius has pointed out, the key principle that all the Baltic Prime Ministers unanimously agree is common Baltic energy independence. The Prime Ministers have also agreed to require the introduction of tax on electricity trade with third countries, as well as level playing field for all market
Remembering Romas Kalanta, the flaming herald of freedom
Vilnius sees growth in tourist numbers
A Lithuanian wins a beauty contest in China
Lithuania ahead Latvia and Estonia in global happiness report
