Lithuanian government commission says contract with Belaruskali poses threat to national security
The contract of Lithuanian Railway with the Belarusian producer of fertilizers Belaruskali and the amendments therein threaten the country’s security, the governmental commission checking deals of strategic enterprises concluded on December 21.
The government will have to make a final decision, Delfi reports.
Lithuanian Railways signed a contract with Belaruskali in the spring of 2018. It is valid until the end of 2023. Under it, about 11 million tons of Belarusian fertilizers are transported through the port of Klaipeda.
According to the commission, the government claims that the contract for cargo transportation by rail, concluded in 2018 between Belaruskali and LZD, as well as the amendment to the agreement in October 2021, is not in the interests of national security.
On December 8, Minister of Transport of Lithuania Marius Skuodis asked the commission to assess whether the contract of Lithuanian Railways and Belaruskali met national security interests. After that, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said that the commission should decide on the agreement this year.
After the commission’s statement, the government may recognize that the contract poses a threat to the country’s security. It could be a reason to terminate transit with minimal losses.
