Lithuanian PM, Gazprom Export chief to meet Feb 7
VILNIUS. Feb 1 (Interfax/BNS) - Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius and General Director at Gazprom Export Alexander Medvedev will meet for talks in Vilnius on February 7, a date which has been officially confirmed, according to the prime minister's press service.
During an interview broadcast on the radio station Lietuvos radijas last Tuesday, Kubilius said that he would be discussing not only the price of gas but also problems with the reformation of his country's gas business with the head of Gazprom Export, which is the sole supplier of gas to Lithuania.
"At the meeting with Gazprom representatives, subjects that are well-known will be touched upon - these are Gazprom's gas-pricing policy, the reform of the Lithuanian gas business, the reorganization of the Lietuvos dujos system by which Lithuania, in carrying out European directives, is striving to become independent of a single gas-supplier. Our plans for building a gas terminal are also known. All these subjects will be discussed with Gazprom management," the prime minister said.
The meeting participants might also address the terms for Russian gas shipments, and settle problems related to Gazprom property in Lithuania that have arisen in connection with the fact that the government plans to reorganize Lietuvos dujos - separating its business in the forwarding, distribution, and delivery of gas - with trunk pipelines becoming government property. Gazprom, which controls some 38% of the stock in the company, is against this. There is a view that Gazprom is trying to influence Lithuania with high gas prices.
