The Lithuanian Ministry of Economy and Innovation proposes to ban the import of dual-purpose goods intended for export to other countries from Lithuania to the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation. Logist.Today learned about this from a message published on the LRT.lt portal.
According to the Minister of Economy and Innovation, Aušrine Armonaite, for some time, information has been collected about the transit of various military and possibly dual-use goods that are not produced in Lithuania and are transported by land transport to the countries of Central Asia through Lithuanian territory. At the same time, the transit of some goods has increased by hundreds and thousands of percent, and there is concern that they may be used in the war in Ukraine.
"We have data that some of these goods may be used in the war in Ukraine and end up on the battlefield. As a result, using our rights to certain lists of commodity codes, the movement of which we limit to the territory of Lithuania, we, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, offer to use this right and register the government's resolution.
Aushrine Armonaite
According to the Vice Minister of Economy and Innovation Karolis Žemaitis, observing the general statistics, among the transported goods, you can see a significant increase in electronics and technical devices.
"Currently, most of these devices or goods are not under sanctions at the level of the European Union, so Lithuania is drawing up its own list, which will allow these goods to not pass through the border of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation."
Karolis Zemaitis
According to him, out of the checked goods, 65 codes are used for conducting military operations. According to Aushrin Armonaite, Lithuanian business does not participate in this process. And goods of Lithuanian origin make up 7% of all exports.
"The list of countries is very long, but it correlates quite well with the main industrialized countries of the EU. Lithuania is the final point through which goods pass"
Karolis Zemaitis
According to him, third-party carriers are mostly involved in this process.
"Of course, I expect that we will come to a European decision, because now Lithuania will carry out strict regulation. This is more in line with EU legislation than Poland's decision to completely close the border. However, it is very important that Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Norway contribute to a joint solution. It would be much more important"
Aushrine Armonaite
This regulation will be valid for a year, but depending on the circumstances, it can be extended.