nergy dependence and insufficient security of supply has negative impact on economic development, labour markets as well as on the functioning of local and regional authorities. Cooperation is necessary at all levels to overcome obstacles in the differentiated European market. These conclusions were drawn by the Members of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions during the external seminar on European Energy Security organised at the invitation of Mayor Andrius Kupčinskas in Kaunas, Lithuania. In his keynote speech Andrius Kubilius, former Prime Minister of Lithuania (2008-2012) and leader of the opposition Homeland Union party condemned the fact, that 9 years after joining European Union Lithuania struggles with dependence on Russia's monopoly in energy supply - prices of gas in my country are 40% higher than what customers pay in Germany. Kubilius in this context presented the "game changing" challenges ahead of Lithuania and Europe: diversification of energy supply, increase of interconnectivity and strengthening competition in energy production sector. President of the EPP/CoR Group Michael Schneider agreed that - affordability of energy is of crucial importance for the overall economic development of Europe, both for its labour markets and its global competitiveness. He additionally stressed that energy market requires long-term planning, stability and security and expressed his support for the Lithuanian Presidency which aims to complete the internal energy market by 2014 and strengthen the external dimension of the EU energy policy. EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger through video message advocated for more EU money dedicated to energy projects - investments in the new energy technologies made today, would result in more affordable, sustainable and safer energy in Europe of tomorrow. MEP Algirdas Saudargas supported this call, arguing that funding for infrastructure is crucial to achieve diversity of energy supply in Lithuania and other countries suffering from monopolies. Kaunas seminar hosted series of lively debates between panellists and EPP/CoR members on gas prices, dependency on Gazprom supplies in Central and Eastern Europe, alternative sources of energy and future of shale gas or nuclear energy prospects in Europe. It was also comprised of interesting presentations in which:

• EPP/CoR Vice President Arnoldas Abramavicius explained the impact of closing of Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania and lack of support for nuclear energy in his country.
• Petra Dolata-Kreutzkamp (EuCERS) suggested looking closer at local solutions to the energy security issues as well drawing conclusions from the shale gas revolution in the US.
• EPP/CoR Vice President Michel Lebrun showed his conviction that energy efficiency and energy safety are just two sides of the same coin, thus they should not be treated separately.
• Lithuanian MP Dainius Kreivys presented participants in details the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan.

EPP Members concluded the Kaunas Meeting with the adoption of a political declaration on the European Energy Security: Towards the future with safe and affordable energy for all. DECLARATION