MINSK, 15 March (BelTA) – Belarus has been forced to take the measures, which it previously announced, in response to the unfriendly actions by the Republic of Lithuania to close two border checkpoints in 2024. A resolution by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 14 March 2024 imposes a ban on the import of certain goods from Lithuania, including food, construction products and household appliances, BelTA has learned.
In addition, a separate government resolution of 14 March also introduces a ban on the movement through checkpoints on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border of a number of goods imported for sale on the territory of Belarus, regardless of their country of origin.
This list includes second-hand clothes and spare parts for vehicles, and also tires, alcoholic beverages and other goods. "With the adoption of this document, the import flow of goods will be able to enter Belarus only through alternative routes bypassing the territory of Lithuania. This will have a negative impact on numerous Lithuanian logistics operators and will lead to a significant loss of their income due to a significant reduction in trade turnover," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The ministry noted that these bans do not affect goods imported to Belarus for personal use.
"As for the possible complains of Lithuanian business, they should be addressed the country’s authorities who make decisions that run counter to national interests," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed.
The ministry said that Belarus will respond to the steps by the Latvian government in connection with the import embargo they introduced on a number of Belarusian food products in 2024 in a similar vein.
"It is obvious that any sanctions on Belarus are counterproductive and futile. Such actions only increase the self-isolation of our Baltic neighbors and undermine their already weakened economic potential. We call on Vilnius and Riga to make their policies more independent, balanced and more focused on the true interests of their own people," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
