Lithuanian gas terminal no blessing for Latvia

The floating liquid gas terminal Independence was moored in the Lithuanian Baltic harbour Klaipėda on Monday

Despite the delight at the prospect of reduced dependence on Russian energy this development is not necessarily positive for neighbouring Latvia, the national-conservative daily Neatkarīgā notes:

“For Latvia it no longer makes any sense to build a liquid gas terminal, because in theory the Lithuanians could supply all three Baltic countries with gas in the future. While the terminal gives the Baltic states more energy security, it also dampens Latvia’s hopes for new investments in a terminal of our own. This time we are not obliged to support the Lithuanians at any price. The monopoly of the Latvian gas company Latvijas Gāze [shares of which are owned by Russian company Gazprom] doesn’t end until April 2017, and we shouldn’t risk any penalties by purchasing gas from its rival in our neighbouring country.”