The government of Lithuania has reached an agreement with Gazprom on the implementation of the EU's Third Energy Package, which requires Gazprom to withdraw from Lithuania's gas transmission network operator Amber Grid by 31 October 2014. Amber Grid was spun off from national gas utility Lietuvos Dujos in 2013. Both companies are controlled by E.ON (38.9%) and Gazprom (37.1%). Lithuania has a 17.7% stake in the companies and is ready to buy the stakes held by private shareholders in Amber Grid, aiming a regain control over the grid. Gazprom has not yet announced the sale of its stake in the company but will not question the implementation of the Third Energy Package.
In March 2012, Gazprom filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Arbitration against the Lithuanian Government to protect the company's investments in Lithuania. Tensions aroused again when Amber Grid was separated from Lietuvos Dujos (about 57% of the company's assets) in 2013.
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