Regional cooperation

European Union

​Lithuania has been a member of the European Union since May 1, 2004.

Lithuania held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2013.

In the Ministry of Energy, the International Cooperation and Planning Division as well as delegated Energy Attachés in the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union ensures effective representation of Lithuania‘s energy policy in the institutions of the European Union and coordination of Lithuania‘s position on energy questions regarding the EU legislation projects.

Contacts - HERE.

EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) was approved by the European Council in 2009 following a communication from the European Commission. In this respect, it provides an integrated framework for improving the environmental condition of the sea, transport bottlenecks and energy interconnections as well as facilitating the development of competitive markets across borders and common networks for research and innovation.
The Ministry of Energy coordinates one prioritised project of EUSBSR – to supervise the process of implementation of the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP).
More information about EUSBSR - HERE.

Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP)

​Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan was initiated by the European Commission for Baltic States. The main goals of the BEMIP initiative, within the context of the EU's 20/20/20 objectives are the full integration of the three Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) into the European energy market, through the strengthening of interconnections with their EU neighbouring countries.

A High Level Group has been set up with the participation of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and, as an observer Norway. The Group, chaired by the EC, started to meet in November 2008 and delivered an action plan in June 2009. Working groups on electricity and gas, as well as external consultants supported the work.

More information about BEMIP - HERE.

BASREC (Baltic Sea Region Energy Cooperation)

​BASREC – the Baltic Sea Region Energy Cooperation – was founded in 1998 by the ministers for energy of the region and the European Commission.

Today, BASREC represents a unique and important regional forum for dialogue on energy policy and global climate change issues with an emphasis on the promotion of energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and other sustainable supply sources.

More information about BASREC - HERE.

Baltic Council of Ministers (BCM)

​The Baltic Council of Ministers (BCM) – the institution of trilateral intergovernmental cooperation - was established at the meeting of Baltic Prime Ministers on the 13th of June 1994. The BCM was reformed and adjusted to the changed environment, when the Baltic States joined the EU and NATO. The structure of the BCM takes into account political interests and gives a possibility to manage the trilateral cooperation.
More information about the Baltic Council of Ministers - HERE.