KIEV, Dec. 18 -- The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is to lend EUR20 million to E-Energija, a Lithuanian group of energy companies, for expansion to Ukraine, as well as for the support of energy efficiency investments in Lithuania and Latvia.

"The EBRD is increasing its support for E-Energija with a EUR15 million loan to the private Lithuanian energy company," reads an EBRD statement issued on Tuesday. "The EBRD expects to become a shareholder in the company with a EUR5 million equity investment in the next several weeks."