Фото: МИД Литвы
Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it views the meeting between Belarusian Prime Minister Alyaksandr Turchyn and Lithuanian carriers as a continuation of a hybrid campaign conducted by the Minsk regime, LRT reports, citing BNS.
“Reports about the meeting with carriers organised by the Belarusian government should be regarded as another propaganda action that is part of the regime’s ongoing hybrid campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Lithuania,” the ministry said.
The ministry demanded that Belarus immediately allow the departure of detained vehicles registered in the EU, stop violations of Lithuanian airspace using weather balloons, and cease other hostile actions against Lithuania.
“We demand that Belarus immediately allow the departure of vehicles registered in the EU, cease violations of Lithuania’s airspace using smuggling balloons, which pose a threat to civil aviation, as well as other malicious actions directed against Lithuania,” the statement said.
It should be recalled that last year Lithuania closed the border in response to an increase in smuggling weather balloons entering its territory. At that time, Alyaksandr Lukashenka instructed authorities to gather trucks belonging to Lithuanian carriers at designated parking areas and charge parking fees. He also threatened to confiscate the vehicles. Lithuanian carriers had previously stated that they expected the implementation of this threat to begin soon.
At yesterday’s meeting, Alyaksandr Turchyn assured that the Belarusian side does not seek to confiscate the vehicles but wants to reach an agreement. After the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Ihar Sakreta announced that within a week a report would be prepared on the basis of which the parking fees for trucks and semi-trailers would be determined, after which a decision would be made and Lithuania and Poland would be notified.
Notably, on November 10, commenting on the situation with the trucks, Alyaksandr Lukashenka had already named a possible fee, which at the time was set at 120 euros per day.
Today, Alyaksandr Turchyn reported to Alyaksandr Lukashenka on yesterday’s meeting with Lithuanian and Polish carriers. According to him, Lukashenka now has all the information needed to make a decision.