Lithuanian Transport Ministry says gave no instruction to LG to break contract with Belaruskali

<p> MINSK, Dec 10 - PrimePress. The Ministry of Transport of Lithuania received all operational information in October and November 2021 about the situation related to the transit of Belaruskali products (Soligorsk, Minsk Oblast) through Lithuania, but did not express a clear position that the contract should be terminated. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Mantas Dubauskas, head of communications at Lithuania’s state-owned railway company (Lietuvos gelezinkeliai, LG), made a statement to this effect on the Lithuanian radio. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, LG also consulted with US financial institutions. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “We consulted both with the Bank of Lithuania and the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury about the settlements (with Belaruskali – editor’s note). And we received a verbal answer that if US dollars and US banks are not involved, the settlements are not prohibited,” Dubauskas said. </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) will continue transporting transit cargoes of Belarus’ fertiliser manufacturer Belaruskali to the Port of Klaipeda in December as Belaruskali has already paid transit and transhipping charges to the Lithuanian company. A scandal erupted and Lithuanian Transport and Foreign Affairs Ministers Marius Skuodis and Gabrielius Landsbergis filed resignation notices. End </p>

2021-12-11

Primepress