Good News from the European Commission: Support and Focus on Two Strategic Lithuanian Priorities
Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, Minister for Energy of the Republic of Lithuania
Yesterday, the European Commission unveiled the first proposal package for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), addressing two major strategic priorities for Lithuania. Over the past six months, I have been actively working on these issues with EU institutions together with our regional colleagues. I am pleased that the European Commission recognized the importance of the situation and heeded Lithuania’s proposals, which were strongly supported by our regional partners.
We are consistently working to ensure that the next EU financial framework includes two essential energy-related instruments:
- The provision of consistent and sufficient financial support for the decommissioning programme of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, with the commitments outlined in our EU Accession Treaty.
- Strengthened EU budget support for energy infrastructure and the establishment of a dedicated funding instrument or specific budget line within the EU budget for the protection and resilience of critical energy infrastructure.
Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning: Financial Continuity and Strategic Solidarity
The European Commission maintains consistent financial support for the Ignalina NPP decommissioning program – the proposed €678 million allocation for the next seven years corresponds with the objective needs of the project and ensures a smooth and safe dismantling process. This is a clear example of European solidarity and a responsible approach to nuclear safety. We are grateful to the European Commission for the constructive and productive cooperation during the MFF formation and for its financial solidarity in securing adequate funding for the Ignalina NPP decommissioning.
The Ignalina NPP closure is one of the most unique and complex projects in the EU. The Commission’s proposal demonstrates its understanding of shared responsibility – not only to Lithuania but to all European citizens – in safely decommissioning Ignalina NPP and dismantling its equipment. I hope that the Commission’s proposal will be consistently and firmly supported by the EU Member States and other EU institutions.
Funding for energy infrastructure and resilience – what does this mean for Lithuania?
In the next MFF, the Commission proposes to significantly increase funding for energy infrastructure projects. Funding for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in the energy sector is set to rise from €5.84 billion in the current MFF to €29.9 billion in the 2028–2034 period. This means greater energy security and reliability. Lithuania, together with Estonia, Latvia, and Poland, received ongoing CEF support for our electricity grid synchronization with continental Europe – a project we successfully completed this year. We are now actively working to ensure EU funding is also allocated to protect and strengthen the resilience of existing energy infrastructure.
A robust MFF energy budget presents a new opportunity for Lithuania and our region to secure adequate energy infrastructure while creating favourable conditions for the integration of renewable energy. The protection and resilience of critical energy infrastructure are becoming just as vital as ensuring security of energy supply and energy affordability. Living in the epicentre of geopolitical threats, we clearly understand that protecting infrastructure is not merely a technical necessity – it is a cornerstone of European security.
I’ve closely collaborated with colleagues from Estonia, Latvia, and Poland – and I’m glad our united regional voice was heard. The draft MFF highlights the goals of critical infrastructure protection and resilience – a good starting point for including this issue consistently in the EU agenda. However, during the upcoming negotiations, we must ensure the establishment of a dedicated funding instrument – Power Protection Vehicle – or specific EU budget line for the protection and resilience of critical energy infrastructure. I cannot imagine a scenario in which the EU would not allocate funding for the protection and resilience of critical energy infrastructure – in such a case, the EU would not be prepared for the new challenges we are already facing. The loss of even a single energy infrastructure link could trigger a chain reaction: affecting millions of consumers, destabilizing regional markets, and exposing the EU to geopolitical vulnerabilities – this means that the EU could become more dependent on other countries, more susceptible to pressure or manipulation, or lose its strategic stability. Preventive investments help avoid such scenarios, and their benefits are long-term: greater energy security, strategic EU autonomy, and lower risk costs. Rebuilding damaged infrastructure always costs more than prevention.
The Baltic States and Poland are already actively investing in energy infrastructure security. We are currently developing a Flagship Model of Excellence in Energy Infrastructure Protection and Resilience based on four priorities of prevention, detection, response and repair, and deterrence which once completed could be later applied as a model across the EU. EU funding is essential for the success of this model – both in this and future EU multiannual financing frameworks.
A Common European Interest – Not Just a National Concern
I welcome the decisions by the European Commission, which clearly show that energy security, infrastructure resilience, and the safe decommissioning of Ignalina NPP are regarded as European priorities, not merely national ones.
I also take pride in Lithuania’s ability to successfully shape the EU agenda – our proposals have become part of shared European solutions. It proves that an active, evidence-based position delivers results. There’s still a long and challenging negotiation process ahead in both the Council and the European Parliament. I hope European solidarity will remain strong regarding these two strategic Lithuanian priorities and that the final MFF will fully reflect our expectations.