Historic Polish-Lithuanian pipeline deal ends Baltic energy isolation

Today, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker i welcomed the signing of an agreement on the Gas Interconnector Poland - Lithuania, the first pipeline connecting Poland and Lithuania.

The gas interconnector will end the long lasting isolation of the Baltic Sea region and bring the energy needed for a new economic dynamism to the region. "You have witnessed a breakthrough," said President Juncker. "You have witnessed history being made."

Prime Minister of Poland, Ewa Kopacz i and President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaité i signed the agreement in Brussels today, witnessed by President Juncker and the Prime Minister of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma i and the Prime Minister of Estonia, Taavi Rõivas i.

Bridging missing links in the energy infrastructure is central to the EU's Energy Union strategy. By joining forces and showing solidarity, the participating Member States have made the region more resilient to potential shortages. The participating states will continue to cooperate in future to further integrate the region into the EU's internal energy market.

The Commission has committed itself to creating links that allow energy to flow where it is most needed. Every Member State should have access to at least three sources for energy. Building missing cross-border links between the Baltic Sea region and the rest of the EU energy market is a priority for the Commission.