Skvernelis: Klaipeda is best route for Belarusian exports

Skvernelis acknowledged, however, that Alexander Lukashenko's regime could use economic levers against Lithuania in revenge for its support to protests in Belarus.

"Yes, there are always attempts to use such levers. Today, we can only say that there is no more efficient, cheaper and more cost-effective route for Belarusian cargo than through the seaport of Klaipeda," he told reporters.

According to him, the Baltic countries stand united on this issue, and Lithuania and Latvia do not differ substantially in their positions, which leaves Russian ports as the only alternative choice for Belarusian cargo.

The Klaipeda port and its companies say they are following with concern a wave of strikes in Belarus.

The port's authority told BNS on Monday that it might have to revise this year's cargo traffic forecasts.

The port handled a total of 14.1 million tons of Belarusian goods last year, accounting for 30.5 percent of its overall cargo traffic.

Biriu Kroviniu Terminalas (Bulk Cargo Terminal, BKT) alone reloaded 10 million tons of cargo, of which 98 percent were Belaruskali's fertilizers.