Lithuania Steps Up Efforts to Increase Diplomatic Clout Through LNG Ties with US

Lithuania continues its efforts to increase its diplomatic clout and its role as a gas exporter in the Baltic Region, strengthening ties with the United States.

Lithuanian Minister of Energy Rokas Masiulis met with the US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz on Tuesday, saying that Vilnius is ready to buy LNG cargoes from the US.

“The more options we have, the better price we will be able to offer to our customers,” said Masiulis said as reported by a note released by Lithuania’s Energy Ministry.

The parts are negotiating terms and conditions of US LNG.

“Through the Klaipėda LNG terminal gas exporters will be able to supply gas not only to Lithuanian customers but also to the Latvian and Estonian markets and, starting from 2019, to the Polish and Ukrainian markets,” Lithuania’s Masiulis commented. 

“Lithuania, together with other thirteen EU Member States, was listed among the countries that can ensure gas supply for their needs even during 9 months gas supply disruption from Russia” the Minister said in a recent interview to Natural Gas Europe. 

On Tuesday, Lithuania’s LITGAS obtained the green light to trade in the Estonian gas market without an additional licence by Estonian Competition Authority.