Brussels, 14/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Taking part at the Baltic Regional Energy Forum, Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs welcomed, on Tuesday, the adoption of a common energy agenda by the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). “Enhanced cooperation and coordination between the Baltic states can considerably help to strengthen energy security in the region”, stressed Mr Piebalgs, who praised the major joint project (in which Poland has joined) for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Visaginas to replace that of Ignalina (Lithuania). Presenting the Union's new energy policy and its priorities for the Baltic region, Mr Piebalgs vowed that the capitals would continue to develop renewables by fully exploiting the region's potential and would envisage new measures for improving energy efficiency. On the subject of the internal market, the energy commissioner stressed the need to support development of electricity and gas interconnection as a matter of priority. On the sidelines of the forum, Mr Piebalgs held bilateral talks with the heads of government of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - Andrus Ansip, Aigars Kalvitis and Gediminas Kirkilas respectively. (eh)