Russia's Kaliningrad Trying To Get Transit Quotas Through Lithuania Canceled - Governor
Muhammad Irfan Published December 14, 2022 | 07:50 AM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th December, 2022) The authorities of Russia's Kaliningrad region are trying to get quotas imposed by the European Union on the transit of sanctioned goods by rail through Lithuania canceled, but the talks are very difficult, Kaliningrad Region Governor Anton Alikhanov has told Sputnik.
"We are trying to get this quota regime for sanctioned products canceled," the governor said, adding that "talks are very difficult. There is constant manipulation of numbers and facts on the other side. They say: you do not choose these quotas, so you are fine. And, for some reason, they do not take into account that we have selected the quotas for certain goods long ago. This is pure manipulation."
The governor said that many region's shipping companies are afraid to send cargo by rail because of Lithuania's "unpredictable behavior" and instead use maritime shipping.
He added that the authorities remain concerned that Lithuania could completely ban the transit of goods to the region.
"If we did not have concerns, we would not have made the decision at the end of 2016 that ferries must be built. Of course, we do (have concerns)," Alikhanov said.
The governor said that the Kaliningrad authorities are calculating the damage done by Lithuania's restrictions on transit to request investigations from international institutions, including the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"We are also forming a position for the (Russian) Ministry of Economic Development to form the basis for future investigations with the use of international mechanisms, such as the court within the framework of the WTO. In our opinion, this situation is a gross violation of Lithuania's and Europe's obligations to Russia to ensure unimpeded transit of goods to and from Kaliningrad. And we are doing calculations on the damage they cause in order to claim it later," Alikhanov said.
He added that there is no preliminary assessment of the damage yet.
From June 18, Lithuania banned the transportation of goods to the Kaliningrad Region that fell under the sanctions of the European Union, including building materials, metal, wood, cement, fertilizers, alcohol, caviar, and other categories, which account for about 50% of the total traffic volume. The Lithuanian authorities said they were simply complying with EU sanctions.
The European Commission later explained that transit to Kaliningrad by road remains banned, and transit by rail is possible with proper control. At the same time, quotas for the transportation of sanctioned goods by rail were introduced, with the volume of shipped goods not exceeding the average cargo traffic for the past three years.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PM pledges revenue target achievement via FBR reforms
Punjab CM takes notice of rape with 8-year old girl
IRSA releases 131,300 cusecs water
Provincial health minister visits DHQ Karak, inspect provision of facilities
Football: English Premier League results
RugbyU: Challenge Cup result
61st death anniversary of Shaukat Thanvi being observed today
School teacher held over torturing student
In southern Brazil, flood victims cope with total loss
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif lauds services of firefighters on Firefighter ..
Football: English Premier League table
SAU to establish int'l lab for stem cell research in animals, plants
More Stories From World
-
In southern Brazil, flood victims cope with total loss
1 hour ago -
Rwanda denies involvement in DRC camp attack
1 hour ago -
US blames Rwanda for deadly attack on displaced camp in DR Congo
2 hours ago -
Reds beat Crusaders to break 25-year Christchurch drought
3 hours ago -
Ukraine wants to be 'visible' in Eurovision clouded by Israel
4 hours ago -
Reps from 12 countries, organizations express willingness to deepen space cooperation before Chang'e ..
4 hours ago
-
UK's ruling Conservatives brace for more losses in local elections
4 hours ago -
Modi’s hit squads operating in Canada threaten national security: Pannun
4 hours ago -
Flood-hit Kenya and Tanzania buffeted by tropical cyclone
5 hours ago -
Boeing's Starliner finally ready for first crewed mission
5 hours ago -
Ambassador Hashmi speaks highly of Chang'e 6 project
5 hours ago -
Traffic accident kills two, injures 13 in Afghanistan
6 hours ago