Ainars Slesers, Latvia's former transport minister and now supervisory board chairman of LGC Cargo, stressed in Vilnius on Thursday that, contrary to Latvia, Lithuania has not liberalized its railway market.
"We have plans to bring new cargo to Lithuania, we have interest to work in this market and we really would be happy if we were treated in Lithuania the same way Lithuanian companies are treated in Latvia," he told a press conference on Thursday.
"Unfortunately, we feel the situation in Lithuania is not so easy. We started this project one and a half years ago. But we feel that there are obstacles which are made artificially and specifically for our company, we understand that something is wrong. Latvia is open for international business, also in the railway business, but unfortunately in Lithuania, we are not welcome," he said.
In his words, the company has problems in Lithuania and feels prejudice against the company.
"We have problems with the Ministry of Transport and the Lithuanian Railways. They are working against us, they do not open the market for us," Slesers said, adding that Lithuania Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis is the only persons supporting the company.
"Prime Minister Skvernelis is the only one who is trying to support us in this battle. He’s the only one who has given the signals that he wants these changes in Lithuania and I hope we can support your prime minister in his endeavors," Slesers said.
Last week, LGC Cargo lodged a complaint to the European Commission against Lithuania. Speaking with BNS Lithuania on Thursday, the European Commission Representation in Lithuania confirmed that the LGC Cargo complaint had been received.