"The head of the Geological Service has provided me with information and assured me that the shale gas exploration tender does no harm to the environment. He told me that an environmental impact analysis had been performed. Therefore, let the bidding process continue. Let's choose the winner. At the same time, since people are very sensitive to these things, I asked for a discussion to be held at the Seimas' environment committee," the minister told reporters after the Cabinet's meeting on Monday.
"If we have some proof or facts that these activities will be really harmful to the environment, then we shouldn't approve. If there is no (such proof), and I have no such information at the moment, then it seems to me that solving Lithuania's energy problems is also very important," he added.
Lithuanian Energy Minister Jaroslav Neverovič also told reporters that the bidding process should not be suspended.
Juozas Mockevičius, the director of the Lithuanian Geological Service, told BNS that bids were due by 5 PM on Monday.