Lithuanian hauliers have turned to the European Commission seeking a solution to return trucks still stuck in Belarus, saying the losses have reached tens of millions of euros.
Although approval has been obtained for about 1,000 trucks, the Lithuanian National Road Transport Association (Linava) has indicated that about 4,000 Lithuanian-registered trucks are still stuck in Belarus. Based on information provided by about 150 companies, the losses are estimated at almost 22 million euros.
The Lithuanian trucks have been stuck in the neighboring country for four months, since the Lithuanian-Belarusian border was closed due to hybrid attacks in Minsk. Although the border closure was temporary, the association reports that Belarusian authorities have not allowed the trucks to leave the country. Linavas President Erlandas Mikėnas pointed out that the estimated losses do not include parking fees, lost customers or cancelled operations, as many of the companies whose cars are in Belarus are already on the verge of bankruptcy. He added that not all companies have submitted information, and the total losses in the entire sector could reach 100 million euros.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications informed that
it is difficult to assess the damage, as carriers provide different data.
Lukas Paškevičius, an adviser to the minister, said that it is necessary to get to the real number of cars that are in the neighboring country. The ministry has information about 915 cars, and it has turned to the EC with a request to help return 1,000 cars. If a specific number is reached, then it is possible to talk about calculating the losses.
The carriers have called on the EC to take action to secure the return of illegally seized vehicles and to assess how the losses will be compensated. The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry approached the EC in November, and Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said he expects the EC to proactively defend its interests.
According to Aleksandras Izgorodinas, an economist at Citadele Bank, Minsk is using the seizure of vehicles as leverage to achieve a relaxation of sanctions. He noted that two issues are particularly painful for Belarusians – the transit of mineral fertilizers and the ability to conduct financial transactions using SWIFT.
The European Union decided at the end of February to extend the sanctions imposed on Belarus for a year.
Read the full article in English here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2857117/lithuanian-carriers-appeal-to-european-commission-over-trucks-stranded-in-belarus
Read also: Lukashenko threatens to seize trucks stuck in Belarus