It would be irrational to continue disputes with EU partners regarding the Kaliningrad transit. This opinion was expressed by the Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrid Šimonite, urging to focus on the support of Ukraine and new sanctions against Moscow,
KYIV. UkraineGate. 14. July . 2022 | Economy.
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“It is irrational nowadays to distract attention and use it for discussions about whether it is possible to transport one kiloton of steel from one part of Russia to the Kaliningrad region by rail,” Shimoniti told reporters on Thursday.
Details
This is what she said after the European Commission on Wednesday decided to allow the transit of sanctioned Russian goods to Kaliningrad for the needs of this Russian exclave.
In recent weeks, representatives of Lithuania and the European Commission have held consultations on the transit of sanctioned goods to Kaliningrad after Russia was outraged by the restrictions on the transit of steel that came into effect in June.
According to Shimonite, further disputes would be “a real victory for the Kremlin.”
“Therefore, the priority should be given to further all-out support of Ukraine in the war against Russia and the as soon as possible agreement on the seventh package of sanctions, which we expect in the near future,” the Prime Minister said.
According to her, Lithuania takes into account the basic principles of transit provided by the European Commission “out of respect for the institution itself and the powers granted to it” and “for the sake of uniform interpretation, which is one of the main tasks of these principles.”
“We can ignore it. (…) Then the final stop of our differences will be the Court of Justice of the European Union,” the Prime Minister said.
According to her, the European Commission is not obliged to coordinate the guidelines prepared by it with the member states, therefore Lithuania is grateful for the consultations, listened comments and suggestions.
“However, the responsibility for the opinion of the European Commission rests with the European Commission itself, and the institutions of the Republic of Lithuania should not and cannot take responsibility for the opinion of the European Commission,” Šimonite said.
Addition
The transit of some Russian goods to Kaliningrad stopped after the entry into force of EU sanctions announced in connection with Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. They prohibit the importation of the specified goods into the territory of the EU. The rules were updated after Russia threatened to retaliate when restrictions on the transit of some Russian goods, such as steel and ferrous metals, took effect in June.
Source:Ukrgate
