Gazprom, which is a shareholder of Lietuvos Dujos, opposed the prospective reforms, but Monday’s decision to unbundle the company’s operations, which Gazprom’s representatives also voted in favor of, would provide a possibility to continue the dialogue, he said.
“Talks with Gazprom and E.ON companies, as shareholders of Lietuvos Dujos, took long enough. Gazprom opposed such reforms, their implementation in Lithuania... Yesterday’s decision actually shows that such negotiations [with Gazprom] were fruitful. Now we can continue the dialogue on all other questions that are important both for Gazprom and for us,” he said in an interview to the Lithuanian Radio on Tuesday.
According to Kubilius, this means that, in line with the government’s plans, Lithuania’s gas sector will have to be reorganized at the end of 2014 and the suppliers of gas will not be able to own natural gas transmission pipelines.
“Those pipelines could be used for the supply of both Gazprom’s gas and natural gas, which we will be able to import through the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal,” Kubilius said.
He reminded that he personally met and held talks with Alexander Medvedev, Gazprom Export CEO, several times in Vilnius in January and February.
Gazprom stated on Monday that it had been forced to approve the reorganization of the Lithuanian gas imports and transportation company due to pressure exerted by Lithuania’s public authorities.
Lietuvos Dujos‘ board, on Monday approved a plan on the unbundling of the company’s operations under which gas transmission operations will be spun off into a new company by 31 July 2013, and the distribution operations will be taken over by a newly established subsidiary by 31 October 2014.
The government has set an end-2014 deadline for the unbundling of Lietuvos Dujos' transmission, distribution and supply assets in line with the EU's third energy package.
Gazprom owns 37.06 percent of shares in Lietuvos Dujos, E.ON Ruhrgas International holds 38.9 percent, and the Energy Ministry holds 17.7 percent.
Lietuvos Dujos is listed on the blue-chip Main List of the Vilnius stock exchange.
2012-05-29 15:11
Prime Minister: Splitting up Lithuanian Gas results from long talks with Gazprom
Shareholders’ decision to split the operations of Lietuvos Dujos (Lithuanian Gas), the Lithuanian gas imports and transportation company controlled by German and Russian groups, in line with European requirements is the result of long-lasting talks with Gazprom, Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has said.
Andrius Kubilius / Irmanto Gelūno / BNS nuotr.
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