Brussels, 17/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - The main subjects at the meeting between Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas on Wednesday 17 September in Brussels were energy security (including the closing down of the Ignalina nuclear plant), the climate/energy package and the conflict between Georgia and Russia. On energy security (a theme on which the Lithuanians are keen), Mr Barroso promised the Commission's “full support” for the Baltic region's (Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Sweden) different energy interconnection projects. Mr Barroso informed the press that “interconnection is the key” and the Commission is prepared to make it a priority. The Lithuanian prime minister announced that leaders from the five Baltic countries involved would meet just before the next European Council in October to “speed up interconnection”. Barroso explained that this involved “a commitment Lithuania made in its accession treaty and which must be respected. We must never compromise on nuclear safety issues”. Lithuania is afraid of becoming completely dependent on Russian gas following closure of the Ignalina plant, and is calling on the EU to allow the plant to continue working until 2012 while waiting for the new Ignalina-2 plant to open, which Lithuania will build with Estonia, Latvia and Poland (EUROPE 9522). (H.B./transl.rh)