Фото: Госпогранкомитет
Authorities in Minsk have refused to open an evacuation corridor through the “Šalčininkai” crossing point for Lithuanian trucks stranded in the country, BNS reported, citing an official response from Belarus.
“We inform you that the Belarusian side has received the provided information and, as previously stated, proposes to resume the operation of the ‘Šalčininkai’ border crossing under the same conditions that existed before the restrictions imposed by you,” the Belarusian authorities said in the document reviewed by BNS.
The response was received on Friday evening.
The information was also confirmed by the adviser to the Prime Minister, Ignas Dobrovolskas.
“The ‘Šalčininkai’ border crossing remains closed, but the government continues to look for ways to help Lithuanian carriers recover their assets,” he said on Saturday.
As reported, yesterday Alyaksandr Lukashenka received a briefing from the head of the State Border Committee, Kanstantsin Malostau. The situation on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border was discussed. Lukashenka’s press service did not provide any details, noting only that “Lukashenka gave instructions regarding the situation on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border.”
According to Lithuanian authorities, around 1,000 Lithuanian trucks and semi-trailers are currently stranded in Belarus, including 400 at the “Šalčininkai” crossing.
As Belarus continues to refuse passage for the trucks, Lithuanian government sources said that a long-term restriction on the transport of Belarusian goods by rail through Lithuania is being considered.
Part of the losses incurred is expected to be recovered from Belarus or its controlled assets.
“Lithuania urges its carriers to collect information about the losses they have suffered, which, after assessing legal possibilities, could be recovered from Belarus or its assets,” said Dobrovolskas.
The vice president of the national road carriers’ association “Linava”, Oleg Tarasov, said that in the past week alone, parking vehicles in Belarus cost carriers about five million euros.
Lithuania closed border crossings with Belarus until November 30 in response to weather balloons launched from Belarus that disrupted airport operations. Only certain categories of travelers are allowed to cross through “Medininkai”. The Belarusian government has banned trucks with Lithuanian registration from exiting through Poland and Latvia.