Lithuanian Minister of Energy and US Deputy Secretary of Energy discuss possible joint actions to reduce Russia’s influence in European energy
Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivys spoke on the phone with David M. Turk, United States Deputy Secretary of Energy, to discuss energy security issues in the region and possible joint actions to increase Russia’s isolation and reduce its influence in the European energy sector.
“Since the restoration of its independence, Lithuania has consistently followed the path of strengthening energy independence. The war in Ukraine only proves once again that energy independence is a security issue for all European countries,” said Minister Kreivys, adding, “Now the challenge for us all is to work together using all available means to achieve stability in the energy market, reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy resources, and stop the war in Ukraine.”
Minister Kreivys emphasised that the countries must unanimously take all possible measures to restrict the import of energy resources from Russia, thus reducing Russia’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine: “It is in our common interest.” Minister Kreivys and Deputy Secretary Turk agreed to coordinate actions to achieve these goals.
Minister Kreivys also thanked the United States for the opportunity to import gas through the liquefied gas terminal – last year, approximately 60 per cent of the gas imported through the terminal came from the United States.
Joint EU-US actions will be discussed at the extraordinary meeting of EU energy ministers taking place in Brussels today and at the extraordinary ministerial meeting being held by the International Energy Agency tomorrow.