Lituanica

As the Lithuanian presidents office announced Lithuanian and French Presidents had a telephone conversation October 5.  The French President Nikolas Sarkozy regretted that he would not be able take part in the Energy Security Conference in Vilnius next week, saying that the initiative to discuss topical energy issues is welcome and particularly timely.

At the international conference, France will be represented by Minister of Ecology and Sustainable Development and Planning Jean-Louis Borloo, the second-highest governmental official.Adamkus pointed out that the Vilnius Energy Summit would focus on the European Union’s (EU) internal and external energy policy and be attended by many leaders from the Caspian Sea region and high-ranking ministers from European countries. The presidential press service said that France’s Sarkozy informed Adamkus about his visit to Russia next week.

According to the Press Release Adamkus said that Lithuania aimed to maintain constructive relations with Russia but encountered many problems, which cast a shadow on bilateral relations. The Lithuanian president noted that no serious attempts had been made to deal with the stoppage of oil supplies to Lithuania via the Druzhba pipeline. In his words, Lithuania no longer received any information about future pipeline repairs, while all related problems were being explained referring to business reasons.Sarkozy said that France supported Lithuania and its position.

France is very actively trying to persuade Lithuania to use its expertise in building the New Nuclear Plant in Ignalina.