Lithuania's Soviet-built nuclear power plant was shut down late Thursday as part of an agreement with the European Union, ushering in a new era of energy uncertainty for the country.

VOA: standard.2010.01.01

The alliance has already welcomed former Soviet republics such as Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

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Lithuania had to shut its Soviet-era plant there as a condition of joining the European Union.

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In April, the Soviet Union halted all shipments of oil and natural gas to Lithuania.

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