The EU celebrates a “historic day” with the incorporation of the Baltic countries into the European Electricity Network

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has applauded the incorporation this Sunday of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the European Electric Red after being disconnected last Saturday from the Russian Brell system as an act of liberation against the “threats and the Moscow energy shower.

“Today we connect the Baltic countries to the power supply of continental Europe. We are cutting the latest links that we have with Russia. This is a release of threats and blackmail, finally. This is a historic day,” said von der read during A ceremony held in the capital of Lithuania, Vilna.

“Now the latest electric lines that remain with Russia and Belarus will be dismantled. Those chains of electric lines that connect to the Baltic countries with their hostile neighbors will be a thing of the past. This is freedom,” added the president of the European Commission during a Appearance accompanied by the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jorgensen, and the European Commissioner for Defense and Space, former Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius.

After 24 hours, working in a situation of energy isolation, the three countries are already part of the European Energy Net through the electricity supply.

The synchronization project with the European Network has been feasible in part thanks to the contribution of more than 1,230 million euros in subsidies of the EU European mechanism, which cover 75 percent of the investment costs, as well as other investments financed within the framework of the recovery and resilience mechanism in Latvia and Lithuania to reinforce the electrical infrastructure.

Looking ahead, the European Coordinator of Baltic Synchronization Projects, Catharina Sikow-Magny, will continue working closely with the EU Member States in the Baltic region to implement the remaining aspects of this project, which is crucial for the end of our energy union. Future works include the construction of the 700 MW Harmony Link interconnector between Lithuania and Poland, whose completion is scheduled for 2030.

“Goodbye, Lenin”

Baltic leaders, such as the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda – “Goodbye, Lenin,” he said in English, in reference to the well -known German film, after being informed of the disconnection by phone – they have applauded the incorporation of incorporation From their countries to the European network. Estonus, Kristen Michal has celebrated what he described as “an important step to strengthen our energy security and further mitigate Russia’s dependence.”

For Prime Minister Letona, Evika Silina, it is “a historical milestone for the energy security and independence of Latvia” in a “permanent break with the Russian and Belarusian electricity grid.”

“This achievement is the result of years of dedication and hard work. Our most sincere thanks to all specialists, energy professionals, institutions and partners who made it possible,” he said.

The president of the European Council, the Portuguese António Costa, has also transmitted his congratulations to the Baltic countries for his synchronization with the European Network “ten months earlier than expected” in a, insisted, “historical moment for independence and energy safety In Baltic and EU countries as a whole ”

One of the first reactions of European countries has come from the hand of Germany, which has celebrated the incorporation of Baltic countries as “a great step towards the protection of critical infrastructure in the EU and a clear sign of cooperation in the region of the Baltic Sea, “according to her Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock.

Moscow lamented this Saturday the disconnection after describing it as a “measure adopted for political reasons” with serious economic repercussions.

The output of the Baltic countries of the BRELL system, understands Moscow, “will increase the prices of electricity in the region, will make the electrical networks less reliable and will further erode the economic competitiveness of the EU,” according to a statement from the representation Russian against Brussels.

“Households and European companies, mainly in the Baltic countries, will be the ones that will load with the costs,” Moscow added after warning that “the constant EU campaign to cut energy ties with Russia will only worsen their economic perspectives.”