MINSK, 11 November (BelTA) - Carriers are angry about the current situation at the border and drivers remaining in Lithuania may start blocking the roads, said Erlandas Mikėnas, the head of the Lithuanian Association of Road Carriers (LINAVA), Lithuanian media report.
According to him, truck drivers are extremely angry, and a decision on blocking roads in Lithuania may be made at a congress on Wednesday, 12 November.
“This decision is not up to me. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of members, a congress. We can sense the mood among the carriers. There are proposals for road blockades and similar actions,” Erlandas Mikėnas said today. “We are trying to calm the waters and talk to people, but I cannot guarantee what decision the association's highest governing body will make tomorrow.”
Earlier, LINAVA had called on the Lithuanian government to come up with a clear action plan and to take measures as soon as possible to facilitate the return of Lithuanian vehicles and ensure the safety of drivers. In a letter to Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, LINAVA said that the current situation poses a serious threat to numerous jobs and the stability of the entire transport sector.
According to the State Customs Committee of Belarus, the trucks stranded in Belarus will be relocated to designated parking areas near the Belarusian border checkpoints Kamenny Log, Benyakoni, Berestovitsa and Kotlovka. The statement noted that this decision was made by the Belarusian side to ensure safety on the approach roads to the border and the security of these vehicles. Lithuania-registered trucks will not be able to cross the border until the Lithuanian side restores normal traffic across the Medininkai and Šalčininkai border checkpoints. The Belarusian border service is monitoring the situation and stands ready to respond to any changes.
The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that truck drivers are given the opportunity to leave Belarusian territory and return to Lithuania, leaving their trucks at the aforementioned parking sites. Drivers who are unable to leave Belarusian territory for various reasons will be provided with the necessary assistance.
On 29 October, the Lithuanian authorities closed the road border with Belarus for one month. Traffic through the Šalčininkai checkpoint (Benyakoni on the Belarusian side) was completely halted, while operations at the Medininkai (Kamenny Log) checkpoint were restricted, with only specific categories of travelers allowed to cross.
According to him, truck drivers are extremely angry, and a decision on blocking roads in Lithuania may be made at a congress on Wednesday, 12 November.
“This decision is not up to me. Tomorrow we will hold a general meeting of members, a congress. We can sense the mood among the carriers. There are proposals for road blockades and similar actions,” Erlandas Mikėnas said today. “We are trying to calm the waters and talk to people, but I cannot guarantee what decision the association's highest governing body will make tomorrow.”
Earlier, LINAVA had called on the Lithuanian government to come up with a clear action plan and to take measures as soon as possible to facilitate the return of Lithuanian vehicles and ensure the safety of drivers. In a letter to Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, LINAVA said that the current situation poses a serious threat to numerous jobs and the stability of the entire transport sector.
According to the State Customs Committee of Belarus, the trucks stranded in Belarus will be relocated to designated parking areas near the Belarusian border checkpoints Kamenny Log, Benyakoni, Berestovitsa and Kotlovka. The statement noted that this decision was made by the Belarusian side to ensure safety on the approach roads to the border and the security of these vehicles. Lithuania-registered trucks will not be able to cross the border until the Lithuanian side restores normal traffic across the Medininkai and Šalčininkai border checkpoints. The Belarusian border service is monitoring the situation and stands ready to respond to any changes.
The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that truck drivers are given the opportunity to leave Belarusian territory and return to Lithuania, leaving their trucks at the aforementioned parking sites. Drivers who are unable to leave Belarusian territory for various reasons will be provided with the necessary assistance.
On 29 October, the Lithuanian authorities closed the road border with Belarus for one month. Traffic through the Šalčininkai checkpoint (Benyakoni on the Belarusian side) was completely halted, while operations at the Medininkai (Kamenny Log) checkpoint were restricted, with only specific categories of travelers allowed to cross.
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