Latvia won’t facilitate transit of Belarusian fertilizers at least until 15 Jan 2022 - mass media

<p> MINSK, Dec 22 - PrimePress. Latvia will not transit Belarusian fertilizers, which currently go through Lithuania, at least until 15 January 2022, the BNS news agency reports with reference to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, the decision of the Latvian government not to transit Belarusian potash demonstrates solidarity with Lithuania. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Landsbergis said he has information that Latvian companies have intensions to take over the transit of Belarusian fertilizers. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Landsbergis earlier said that Belaruskali’s cargo transit could go through Latvia if private Latvian companies were interested in it. Several private Latvian freight carriers have confirmed they have received inquiries from Belarusian fertilizer producer Belaruskali regarding the possibility to transport its cargo via Latvia's territory to be handled in Latvia's ports. Nevertheless, those carriers say Latvia, just like Lithuania, sticks to international sanctions and does not want to violate them. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Under the OFAC order of August 9 (US Office of Foreign Assets Control), any transactions with Belaruskali or any other company with Belaruskali’s direct or indirect ownership of 50 percent or more, need to be wound down by 7 p.m. Lithuanian time on December 8. However, Lithuania’s state-owned railway company (Lietuvos gelezinkeliai, LG) said in December that it would continue transporting transit cargoes of Belarus’ fertiliser manufacturer Belaruskali to the Port of Klaipeda as Belaruskali had already paid transit and transhipping charges to the Lithuanian company. Lithuanian Minister of Transport Marius Skuodis and Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis both filed for resignation, however Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte would not satisfy their resignation letters. LG CEO Mantas Bartuska also announced about his likely resignation. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the country’s reputation had been badly damaged when the transit of Belarusian fertilizers through Lithuania did not stop, despite the US sanctions. </p> <p>   </p> <p> A possible way to resolve the problem could be a legal solution at the state level, LZD said. In turn, the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport registered a bill on the application of economic and other sanctions against Belarus to ensure national security. The document suggests the Lithuanian government and Seimas should impose sanctions on products imported from Belarus, as well as those purchased directly or supplied indirectly from this country, which would prevent the transit of Belarusian potash fertilizers through Lithuania. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry regarded the initiative as a gross violation of international law. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern, as such a move could have a negative impact on the social and economic situation in the Kaliningrad Region. End </p> <p>   </p>

2021-12-23

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