Lithuanian gas terminal key element of energy security, says Duda
Lithuania taking over the ownership of an LNG floating terminal is a symbolic moment for energy sovereignty of this part of Europe, Polish President Andrzej Duda has said.
On Friday, Duda arrived in Lithuania to participate in the official handover of the liquid natural gas (LNG) carrier 'Independence' to the Lithuanian state. While there, Duda met with his counterparts from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
At a press conference prior to his departure, Duda said that the Independence's handover to Lithuania would be a symbolic moment for energy sovereignty in this part of Europe.
"I am glad that today, the strengthening of the infrastructural connection and energy security in this part of Europe will receive additional support," he said.
As examples of such infrastructural connectivity, Duda mentioned the newly constructed rail line Rail Baltica that will link the capitals of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland, as well as Via Baltica, an international road passing from Poland through Lithuania and Latvia to Estonia.
Among the topics discussed with the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian presidents were cooperation within the Three Seas Initiative, energy security, investment projects connecting the four countries, as well as the current situation in Georgia, where protests are continuing against the government's decision to suspend negotiations of the country's EU accession for four years.
"Today, we can all see and truly appreciate the decision about diversifying gas supplies and improving the energy security and economic resilience of our region," Duda said at the event in the Lithuanian port city of Klaipeda, emphasising that the 'Independence' is a key element of the Three Seas Initiative.
He remarked that for the 1,000 days of Russia's aggression on Ukraine "our joint efforts to expand critical infrastructure, and thus minimise our dependence on a hostile neighbour, have paid off at this time of trial."
The Three Seas Initiative is a platform for improving connectivity between 13 EU member states located between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black seas.
The 'Independence' is an LNG carrier built by the South Korean company Hyundai. It can store around 170,000 cubic metres of natural gas. The carrier has been in use by Lithuania since 2014 as a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and a gas import terminal, reducing the country's dependence on gas supplies from Russia.
The vessel has been chartered by the Lithuanian oil and LNG terminals operator KN Energies from its Norwegian owner. The Friday event marked the end of the ten-year lease, after which 'Independence' officially became state property of Lithuania. (PAP)
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