Security materials contain “nothing much” – Vice Speaker Bastys

“I have been acquainted with the department’s report and I have already made my decisions about the possibility to stay on, I will only have to discuss the issue with the political group and its leadership before making the final decisions,” Bastys said.

He did not reveal the reasons provided by the security agency behind its decision to refuse him access to classified information.

“This is something the State Security Department should explain. As a matter of fact, there is nothing much that would allow stating lack of confidence in me. The only thing is that, under the law, the State Security Department has the subjective right of making the decision. And they did. In this case, I see systematic problems (about permits to work with classified information), I will have to analyze them further in the future,” said the parliamentary vice-speaker.

Asked whether the report speaks about his possible ties with representatives of foreign business groups, Bastys refused to elaborate and pledged to give all answers in a news conference.

Bastys had to explain over the 2013 unannounced meeting between then Seimas speaker Vydas Gedvilas and Alexander Merten of the Russian state nuclear energy concern Rosatom, which Bastys organized and initiated .

The State Security Department conducted a check on the possibility to work with and access classified information marked as “top secret” and made a negative decision, the parliament said in a press release.

Based on the information, Pranckietis urged Bastys to step down from the position of vice-speaker.