VILNIUS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis on Friday called neighboring Baltic counties to improve gas infrastructure to attract investment to the energy sector and bring down gas prices.
Skvernelis and his counterparts, Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis and Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas, met in Klaipeda, Lithuanian port-town, to visit the country's liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and discuss energy issues.
According to the Lithuanian government, Baltic PMs discussed possibilities to develop "a common gas infrastructure". Skvernelis emphasized cooperation in the gas sector would help attract European investments and bring down prices for gas consumers.
"The joining of the gas supply routes may bring down the infrastructure maintenance costs and, consequently, gas prices for the consumer," Skvernelis was quoted as saying in a press release.
The government's office added that aside from possible cooperation in gas supply and storage, the prime ministers discussed possible joint projects.
All three Baltic States have strategic gas infrastructure objects or developments plans.
Two years ago, Lithuania's LNG terminal started operations to diversify the country's gas sources and reduce dependency on Russia's Gazprom, Lithuania's previously sole supplier of natural gas.
Neighboring Latvia has the underground gas storage facility in Incukalns. Estonia pursues efforts to develop its own mid-scale LNG import terminal. These objects "are the cornerstones in achieving the required level of security and diversity of gas supply in the Baltic countries", said Skvernelis.
His Estonian counterpart agreed on the importance of cooperation in the gas sector, but emphasized the need for the possible cooperation to be based on market conditions.
Latvian prime minister supports united gas supply to the region, reports news website 15min.lt.
It was the second meeting of the Baltic prime ministers. Next meeting is scheduled later in August in Latvia.
