Belarusian Prime Minister 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.
“As you know, this was reported in the media yesterday, Lithuanian and Polish carriers submitted a written appeal to our president asking for assistance in resolving the current situation. The president instructed the government to meet with them and discuss all the issues. Yesterday we had a productive meeting; in fact, all those present spoke, asked their questions, and we answered them.
Following yesterday’s meeting, the government submitted a written report to the president outlining the results and, so to speak, proposals on how the government sees the resolution of this situation. And just this morning I had a conversation with the head of state, where I once again reported everything in detail. Therefore, today the president has absolutely all the information needed to make a decision,” the prime minister said ahead of a Presidium meeting of the Council of Ministers. The video comment was published by the government’s press service.
It should be recalled that last year Lithuania closed the border in response to an increase in smuggling weather balloons crossing into 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.
