Liberal-Centrist leader Algis Čaplikas: Rushing gas sector reform in Lithuania didn't serve its purpose

He noted that Lithuania's move to become the first country in the region to launch the European Union-initiated reform did not bring any benefit.

"Latvians are in no rush, Estonians are in no rush, Poles are in no rush and they have cheaper gas. What did we win? Nothing. This is something we have to admit," Čaplikas said in an interview to Žiniu Radijas news radio.

"We should leave aside the political ambitions and focus on other solutions. If we, the people of Lithuania, do not benefit from the Third Energy Package, let's analyze the course and the possibilities that we have," he said.

Gazprom and Lithuania's administration have been locked in disagreements over gas prices and Lithuania's intentions to see through the gas market reform by the end of 2014.

Competition-promoting rules envisage separating gas supplies from pipeline operation. Lithuania's government says this would liberate the country from Gazprom's monopoly, as the company is currently the sole supplier of natural gas to Lithuania and has a 37-percent stake in Lietuvos Dujos (Lithuanian Gas).

The reform has been backed by President Dalia Grybauskaitė. After signing amendments to the Natural Gas Law last year, she said that breaking up the gas sector monopoly would allow competition on the gas market and ensure alternative suppliers, while Lithuania would be able to speed up energy projects and guarantee fairer gas prices for the population.

Algirdas Butkevičius, leader of opposition Social Democrats, has dismissed the law as a political move without any economic logic.