The Belarusian Foreign Ministry has urged Lithuania to reverse its decision to close the border. The statement came from the ministry’s spokesperson Ruslan Varankou, who said that “there can be no talk of any selective measures.”
The Foreign Ministry representative noted that the Lida border detachment had received a request from Lithuania concerning the passage of trucks currently located in Belarus.
“Lithuanian media are quoting at length the statement by Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginenė about negotiations with Belarus regarding the return of Lithuanian cargo vehicles currently on our territory.
Indeed, a corresponding request—if it can be called an official one to Minsk—was addressed to the leadership of the Lida border detachment.
In this regard, we remind that the decision to close the border was taken solely by the Lithuanian side, unilaterally.
Belarus bears no responsibility for its negative consequences, which have proven multifaceted—from problems with freight transport to significant damage not only to Belarusian citizens and businesses, but also to Lithuania itself and to citizens of third countries, including EU member states,” Varankou said.
Earlier today, Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič said that Lithuania planned to allow around 500 trucks to pass through the Benyakoni–Šalčininkai crossing.
“Moreover, we strongly urge the Lithuanian authorities to reverse their decision and restore the normal operation of border crossings for citizens, vehicles, and cargo. Thousands of citizens of both countries and of the EU as a whole are eagerly awaiting this simple and logical decision from Vilnius.
They need a solution that will be stable and predictable. There can be no talk of any selective measures. In the interests of its citizens, Belarus is always ready for dialogue aimed at resolving the existing issues concerning the operation of border checkpoints,” Varankou added.
Almost simultaneously, the Belarusian State Customs Committee also issued a comment on the situation.
According to the committee, of the 5,000 trucks and trailers currently in Belarus after the border closure, the Lithuanian side has allowed only 180 truck–trailer combinations to pass in the past five days.
“The paradox of the situation lies in the fact that Lithuania’s requests and its actual actions contradict each other. They are not prepared to fully reopen the border with Belarus, yet they are trying to negotiate the return of Lithuanian vehicles from Belarusian territory.
The reciprocal measure taken by Belarus to restrict Lithuanian truck movement along the Belarus–Lithuania border in no way prevents these vehicles from leaving the country through Lithuanian border checkpoints.
So why not simply use them—by reopening the Medininkai and Šalčininkai crossings?
Then the vehicles registered in the electronic queue on Belarusian territory—most of which are Lithuanian—would be able to leave,” the committee said.