“Riga Process” moves ahead towards creating EU Energy Union

According to Masiulis, synchronisation of the Baltic and European energy networks should be one of the goals of the Energy Union. “It is difficult to imagine operating Energy Union in which the Baltic States depend on decisions of third parties,” said the energy minister, adding that currently all three Baltic States are a part of a common Russian and Belarusian “electricity ring”.

The minister says that it is necessary to invest in infrastructure in order to create a free energy market and energy system that is integrated into EU’s networks. EU financial support is needed for projects that are commercially unjustifiable but necessary to guarantee energy security. The support has to be ensured both before and after 2020.

“It is necessary for Member States to optimally use the existing infrastructure and to implement legal provisions of the EU’s Third Energy Package – to harmonise regional regulation systems, especially in the gas sector. I regard regional cooperation the main instrument when creating the Energy Union,” said Masiulis.

The minister added that in order to reduce energy dependence and increase energy security, the EU has to boost energy production from indigenous sources and invest in new energy production capacities.

“Investment in energy production capacities should be based on technological neutrality – Member States must have freedom of choice selecting their combination of energy resources. Nuclear, renewable energy or other indigenous energy sources, all of these opportunities have to be used,” emphasised the energy minister.