„We have not experienced any difficulties in the relations between Russia and the EU. The European Union is a global player. Russia is trying to become one. We respect their cooperation. However, we cannot allow Russia to interfere in the process of establishing dialogue between Kiev and Brussels”.
[b]Arvydas Sekmokas, Lithuanian Minister of Energy[/b]
„In our opinion building a gas pipeline between Poland and Lithuania is very realistic. Especially if the investment has ever-stronger political support. The EU Commissioner for Energy, Gunter Ottinger, gave assurances that he would investigate the options of subsidising this investment and this will have a great influence on the schedule of its realisation. For the time being it is hard to say what kind of subsidy we could hope for as no decisions have been made. The EU budget has not been defined yet. We are implementing new EU regulations on separating a gas pipeline network now. Despite the objection raised by Gazprom and the German E. ON concern, which are shareholders in the national gas company Lietuvos Dujos, we are going to bring this process to an end. We are not afraid of it, we are an independent country and we have to separate networks according to EU requirements at the beginning of 2011.
[b]Michał Boni, head of the Prime Minister’s group of advisors[/b]
Whether this year’s budget deficit is lower than 48.3 billion zloties depends on whether proceeds from CIT tax increase at the end of the year. If proceeds from CIT tax are smaller it may mean that some entrepreneurs are crediting their activities at the cost of the state and the tax office has no legal title – due to no declaration – to control that.
[b]Mirosława Boryczka, board member at ZUS [/b]
