The European Commission considers Belarus’ actions in detaining Lithuanian trucks unacceptable and unjustified, the Lithuanian road transport association Linava reported.
On March 2, the association sent an appeal to the European Commission regarding vehicles detained in Belarus.
“This week, the European Commission confirmed that the actions of the Belarusian authorities, which led to the detention of transport vehicles belonging to Lithuanian and other European Union carriers, are unacceptable and unjustified. The issue is already being considered at the highest EU level and has been included on the international agenda,” the association said.
The head of Linava, Erlandas Mikėnas, подчеркнул, что в Беларуси остались активы литовских компаний на миллионы евро. According to him, the precedent poses a threat to all carriers.
“The European Commission, together with Lithuania and Poland, has already raised this issue at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the AETR expert group. During the discussions, it was emphasised that the detention of vehicles has no legal basis and that Belarus must immediately facilitate their return to their lawful owners,” the association added.
Linava said it will continue to seek a resolution not only through diplomatic channels but also by pursuing concrete solutions regarding compensation for losses incurred by carriers.
It should be noted that yesterday in Minsk, a meeting took place between Belarusian Prime Minister Alyaksandr Turchyn and a delegation of Lithuanian and Polish carriers. The head of the Belarusian government stated that Minsk does not intend to confiscate the vehicles. Following the meetings, Deputy Foreign Minister Ihar Sakreta said that a decision regarding the trucks may be made within a week.
