Speeches

Speech by H.E. Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Lithuanian-Austrian business forum "Renewable energy resources and energy efficiency"

Your Excellency Mr. President,
Distinguished Representatives of the Business Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome the participants of the Forum: the Lithuanian and Austrian business people, representatives and experts of various institutions who have gathered today in Vilnius to look for new possibilities for co-operation and to exchange ideas on the topical issue of renewable energy.

When we speak about the economy today, we cannot but use the word crisis. At this difficult period of time Lithuania has set the state‘s financial stability as a priority. Hence, Lithuania began immediately to reduce state spending, abstain from various tax exemptions and exceptions, which distort prices and competition, as well as other measures to preserve financial stability. On the other hand, as there is no improvement in the economic situation throughout the region, we are ready to go further and are about to implement the economy incentive plan.

I am an optimist: I believe that we, the Europeans, can feel more confident in the face of the crisis for one important reason, namely, because we can rely upon each other, and because we are supported by unity and solidarity - the values that lie in the very heart of the European Union. A successful operation of the EU internal market, united efforts in maintaining budgetary discipline, wider EU possibilities to issue credits to the member states which are short of finance - these are the measures that will help the EU to persevere. Nevertheless, the crisis raises not only challenges to us, but also provides us with opportunities. We must use this difficult period as an impulse for brave reforms and new initiatives. If we help each other, look for common ways out and co-ordinate anti-crises measures, we shall not only overcome the hard times, but will become stronger and more competitive.

Our solidarity was also tested by the crisis in gas supply via Ukraine in the beginning of this year. We could see once again that if we acted together we could develop immunity against similar crises and ensure energy security in future. This solidarity is very important to Lithuania: next year, as part of our commitments, we shall be closing down the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. This will complicate further the situation of Lithuania - an energy island inside the European Union. We are preparing for this difficult period with full responsibility, together with the European partners: we are seeking ways of reducing energy consumption, especially by improving the energy efficiency of buildings; and we are striving to implement regional projects as soon as possible, which would help Lithuania and the other Baltic States to join the common European power grid system and market. We regard the new nuclear power plant as another strategic priority.

In order to ensure energy security of Lithuania, we also study the possibilities offered by renewable energy resources. In the long run investments into renewable energy and saving will be useful in fighting climate change and in ensuring economic competitiveness and a lesser dependence on external energy suppliers. Especially since the International Energy Agency has warned us against a steep rise in oil prices in 2013.

Lithuania views with full responsibility its commitment to increase renewable energy resources to 23 per cent by 2020. Today we are looking for ways of how to use more efficiently traditional renewable resources - sun, wind and water power, as well as how to make use of innovative methods: how to obtain energy from household waste and biomass. We have to do a lot of homework to achieve all this - to create financial instruments, the necessary infrastructure and the base for scientific research. The experience of Austria, which is one of the European Union leaders in consumption of renewable resources, could be of great interest and benefit. To us Austria is an inspiring example, therefore, we are happy that you are ready to share your expertise and successful experience. I hope that our specialists and businessmen will co-operate actively and bring to maturity many joint projects in the sphere of renewable energy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to express hope that during the discussions about renewable energy resources and energy efficiency you will not economise on interesting ideas, insights and suggestions. I wish you interesting and fruitful discussions which would give a start to new initiatives and mutually beneficial projects.

Thank you for your attention.