20/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - "All the conditions are set for Lithuania to successfully overcome the barrier of 2004" (the stated goal for the first wave of accessions to the EU: Ed.), declared Commissioner Michel Barnier in Vilnius. The Commissioner responsible for regional policy did, however, warn Lithuania that it had to strengthen its administration to be able to manage the regional aid it will receive from the EU on accession. He also said that shutting down the nuclear power plant of Ignalina was not only Lithuania's problem but that of the whole of Europe, and that the Union had to show solidarity - it has already contributed 168 million euro, he stressed - and accompany the process until this closure was completed.