Coalition needs to decide how to best reduce Kremlin's influence in Latvijas Gaze - Eglitis

• Published date: 02 August 2022
• Publication title: LETA

RIGA, Aug 2 (LETA) - The government coalition needs to find the best way to reduce the Kremlin's influence in Latvian gas companies Latvijas Gaze and Gaso, Welfare Minister Gatis Eglitis (Conservatives) told LETA, adding that the government is expected to address the issue next Monday.

The welfare minister believes that Latvia has to reduce the Kremlin's influence in Latvijas Gaaze and Gaso by changing the structure of the companies' shareholders. In Eglitis' words, there are several possible ways of achieving that goal, with nationalization being one of the most dramatic options.

The situation where Latvia's largest gas company is controlled by Russian capital is not normal, Eglitis believes.

"As we know, Russia uses its energy resources to attain its geopolitical goals, so I think that scenarios for these companies should be debated, because both Latvijas Gaze and Gaso belong to capital that it not friendly to Latvia. We have yet to discuss it within the coalition," the minister said.

s reported, information recently mentioned in the media has come to the attention of the State Security Service (VDD) regarding gas...