Ruginienė Allows For Deputy-Level Lithuania–Belarus Talks, But Sets Conditions

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said that a meeting between Lithuania and Belarus at the level of deputy foreign ministers is possible, but only if several conditions are met. She was commenting on remarks by US presidential envoy John Coale, who stated that such talks are needed, as well as the transit of Belarusian fertilizers through Lithuania.

“We did not discuss fertilizer transit through Lithuania with the US envoy at any level. We talked about balloons, the return of trucks, and illegal migration — these are indeed the issues we discussed, as they are our conditions for a meeting with Belarus at the vice-ministerial level,” she said, as cited by LRT.

It should be noted that Coale, in his interview with LRT, spoke about negotiations between Vilnius and Minsk without preconditions.

The broadcaster also listed the conditions outlined by Ruginienė:

• meteorological balloons used for smuggling must no longer be launched across the border;
• all trucks must be returned without any additional fees or financial penalties;
• Belarus must prevent illegal migrants from crossing the border.

“We are talking only about a technical-level meeting intended for exchanging positions. Such a meeting may take place after these conditions are fulfilled,” Ruginienė explained.

She emphasized that the decline in airborne cigarette smuggling is partly due to active efforts by Lithuanian authorities. The prime minister also recalled that operations at Vilnius Airport had been temporarily suspended, and that trucks are released only after payment is collected.

“As for fertilizers, we cannot discuss anything because European Union sanctions are currently in force,” she added.