"We do take care of all companies that encounter problems abroad and we see it as a very important task for us. We are glad if we can help in some way. Now, we often hear critical remarks about us taking care of gas supplies to Achema," he told Žinių Radijas radio station on Thursday.
Kubilius confirmed that in 2009 he wrote letters to Gazprom CEO Aleksey Miller and Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, asking them to reduce gas price for Achema.
"I could go on listing how much we are doing to ensure that Iki grocery chain has no problems in Latvia, or our efforts to help Lithuanian companies in the Balkans, Serbia and other countries, or in Kiev. It is our task to help these companies to solve their problems. This is part of our job," he said.
Alexander Medvedev, the CEO of Gazprom Export, the Russian group's export arm, confirmed earlier this week that Gazprom would sell gas to Achema at a price lower than to Lietuvos Dujos (Lithuanian Gas). According to media reports, a new contract has been signed for 10-15 years.
Last year, Achema purchased 1.35 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Gazprom and plans to buy a similar or slightly smaller amount this year.
The nitrogen fertilizer factory in Jonava, in central Lithuania, is the biggest gas consumer in the country. When operating at full capacity, its purchases make up around one-third of the country's total gas needs.
