Lithuania urged to refuse LNG import from Russia as soon as possible at the EU Energy Council
On 4 March, Vice-Minister of Energy Albinas Zananavičius attended the meeting of the European Union Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council in Brussels, Belgium. During the meeting, the representatives of the Member States discussed the current supply security situation and preparations for the next winter season 2024–2025, reached a political agreement on a Council Recommendation on the further application of coordinated measures to reduce gas demand, and discussed mechanisms to ensure the flexibility of the energy system of the European Union (EU) in the face of the rapid growth of renewable electricity generation. At the Energy Council, Lithuania addressed the Member States and urged the European Commission to take immediate action to stop the import of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the EU as soon as possible before 2027.
“While we can assess the EU preparations for this and next winter as good enough, we cannot relax yet. It is important to continue to focus on the protection of infrastructure facilities, cross-border interconnections, in particular offshore, as well as on efforts to ensure stable LNG supply from as many reliable sources as possible,” said Vice-Minister Mr Zananavičius.
At the Energy Council, Lithuania presented the issue of the necessary measures to stop the import of Russian LNG into the EU. Although EU imports of Russian gas via pipelines have significantly decreased (from 150 bcm to 44.5 bcm) over the last 2 years, during the war in Ukraine, LNG imports have increased by as much as 38 per cent, which is a concern, because the energy dependence on Russian imports in terms of LNG is increasing, instead of being reduced.
“Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Europe has demonstrated a desirable solidarity by reducing its import of Russian gas. The LNG infrastructure created and further developed in the EU has been one of the main instruments to diversify gas supply and increase the energy independence of the EU; therefore, the growing volumes of Russian LNG imports is a trend that we cannot ignore but that we need to take concrete action upon,” said Mr Zananavičius.
Lithuania is the first country in the EU to refuse to import Russian gas, including LNG, oil and electricity after Russia invaded Ukraine.
It was recalled that in the Versailles Declaration of 2022, the EU leaders committed themselves to refuse energy imports from Russia as soon as possible, and the EC RePowerEU proposal also set a specific deadline – by 2027. In the context of the FF55 package, an agreement was also reached on the hydrogen and gas package, which sets forth the legal provisions that will give the Member States the tools to stop the import of Russian LNG and gas.
Lithuania urged the European Commission to commence a comprehensive assessment of the current situation, giving priority to Russian LNG import. It is Lithuania’s position that this should include an assessment of whether the EU is complying with its commitments to phase out Russian energy, proposing the necessary corrective actions and, if necessary, legislation.
Moreover, at the Energy Council, Ukrainian Minister of Energy German Galushchenko presented an update on the situation in the Ukrainian energy sector. He thanked the Member States and the European Commission for their support, both financial and in terms of energy equipment. Russia has been trying to break EU solidarity, but it has failed, which is very important. Lithuania reiterated its solidarity and support to Ukraine, which will continue to be provided as long as needed.
Last updated: 05-03-2024
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