19/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Unbundling in Lithuanian gas sector - Barroso encourages Vilnius. In a letter sent this week to Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso states his support for the unbundling process, supply activity and transport network in the Lithuanian gas sector. “You can be assured that the European Commission will continue to support processes related to the Lithuanian position in meeting the requirements of the Third Energy Package”, Barroso states in the letter, giving his assurance that his colleague responsible for energy, Günther Oettinger, is monitoring developments very closely, Kubilius' services indicated on Thursday 19 May. “We know that the search for mutually acceptable solutions and implementation of issues of ownership unbundling in the gas sector will require effort from all concerned. The Commission will continue to give its strong support to the course chosen by Lithuania”, Barroso adds. For several months now, Vilnius has been in conflict with the Russian energy company, Gazprom, and E.O Ruhrgas of Germany, which have joint ownership - 37.1% and 38.9% respectively - alongside the Lithuanian state (17.7% of the shares) of the national gas network operator, Lietuvos Dujos, over plans to reform the Lithuanian energy market, which is opting for separation of ownership. (E.H./transl.jl)