Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas: “We must strengthen transatlantic cooperation and the protection of critical energy infrastructure”
On 7 November, the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Ministers of Energy and the United States (US) Secretary of Energy met for the fifth 3+1 Energy Dialogue, which took place in Athens, Greece, during the Ministerial Meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC). The meeting focused on the key priorities for transatlantic cooperation in the field of energy: infrastructure security and resilience, development of LNG imports, and deployment of innovative technologies.
Lithuanian Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, Estonian Minister of Energy and the Environment Andres Sutt, Latvian Minister for Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis, and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright discussed how countries can strengthen their strategic partnership, enhance the resilience of energy infrastructure, develop LNG imports, and support Ukraine.
“Strong and reliable transatlantic relations remain extremely important in the current geopolitical situation – Lithuania already purchases 75% of LNG from the US. Currently, Lithuania is seeking to become a regional leader that strengthens the resilience of critical energy infrastructure against hybrid, cyber, and physical threats in order to secure uninterrupted energy supply. We also see great potential for transatlantic cooperation in the areas of LNG, nuclear energy, and infrastructure security. We would like to continue and further strengthen this cooperation,” Minister Vaičiūnas pointed out.
Another mutually beneficial area of cooperation is the global LNG market. Over the past decade, the state-owned enterprise KN Energies, which operates Klaipėda LNG Terminal, has acquired a high level of expertise in the development, management, and maintenance of LNG import terminals around the world. Klaipėda LNG Terminal is the first and only terminal in the region capable of supplying not only Lithuania but also neighbouring countries such as Estonia, Latvia, Poland, and Ukraine.
“We must learn from Ukraine’s lessons and invest in the resilience of our energy systems, as they are one of the main targets of hybrid threats. Modern threats are transnational, which calls for a coordinated European Union strategy and measures. Lithuania, together with Estonia, Latvia, and Poland, is not only developing a representative model, but also continuing to work on an initiative aimed at protecting critical infrastructure in the Baltic region. Business ties between the Baltic countries and the US could also be strengthened in this area by creating and developing innovative tools for the protection of critical energy infrastructure,” Minister Vaičiūnas suggested one of the potential areas for strengthening cooperation with the US.
During the visit, the Minister of Energy met with Ukrainian Minister of Energy Svitlana Grynchuk for the first time and discussed issues related to the recovery of the Ukrainian energy sector and prospects for cooperation.
“The people of Ukraine are facing a different kind of winter than we are – after russia’s brutal attacks on their energy infrastructure, there is a threat of gas shortages. Lithuania sees, hears, and acts – LNG cargo is being shipped to Ukraine via Klaipėda LNG Terminal. We will make every effort to ensure that our assistance helps to keep hope and light alive in the darkness of war,” said the Minister.
At the P-TEC Business Forum, Mr Vaičiūnas participated in a plenary session on “Shaping tomorrow: LNG as a catalyst for competitiveness”. The Minister emphasised that Klaipėda LNG Terminal is one of the most important pillars of Lithuania’s energy security and independence, and its regional significance is constantly growing. A meeting of P-TEC Energy Ministers, chaired by US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, was also held. During the meeting, Minister of Energy Vaičiūnas once again urged countries to contribute to Ukraine’s victory by providing urgent assistance to protect the Ukrainian energy sector.
Last updated: 17-11-2025
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