Silvio Berlusconi Promises His Support for the Extension of the Work of Ignalina NPP

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi thinks that the closedown of Ignalina NPP might be postponed and affirmed this opinion to Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas who is presently on a working visit to Rome.

While curious to find out the time period Lithuania needs to decommission the Ignalina NPP at the later date than 2009, S. Berlusconi declared that the alternative option was available. ‘In my view, the closedown of the Ignalina NPP might be postponed if you need time’ the Italian Prime Minister said.

G.Kirkilas emphasized the fact that Lithuania continued consultations with the European Commission representatives and EU Heads of State and Government on the later date of the decommissioning of the Ignalina NPP as it would substantially contribute to the enhancement of the country‘s energy security. In G. Kirkilas’ view, Europe must show solidarity and understanding in addressing the energy issues and the integration of the whole Baltic Sea Region into the EU energy market.

The Lithuanian Prime Minister stressed his Italian counterpart’s efforts to develop bilateral relations and tackle challenging problems at the highest political level. During his conversation with the Italian Prime Minister, G. Kirkilas reiterated Lithuania’s interest to restore historic justice by having the interwar Lithuanian embassy Villa Lituania back. S. Berlusconi promised his personal support in addressing the Villa Lituania issue in the near future.

Referring to bilateral Lithuanian-Italian relations, Gediminas Kirkilas was of the opinion that Italian investment in Lithuania should be more substantial and called on Italian business representatives to make more investments there. The conversation also touched on the further development of bilateral cultural ties and tourism.

Also, both Prime Ministers discussed the EU Neighbourhood Policy. G.Kirkilas reiterated Lithuania’s position: to offer the Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Georgia and Ukraine at the forthcoming NATO foreign minister’s meeting in December and help those countries launch reforms. As regards Belarus, G. Kirkilas stressed, the EU policy ought to be more flexible by reducing the country’s isolation and visa prices for its citizens.