Parliament speaker: EC should soon publish its guidelines regarding Kaliningrad transit restrictions

“So far, the European Commission is still preparing its guidelines. Lithuania applies sanctions fully. Consultations, talks are ongoing and we are trying to protect Lithuania’s interests. (&) Now it seems that the European Commission’s guidelines will be published and I think this will happen soon,” Čmilytė-Nielsen said in an interview to the radio station Žinių Radijas on Wednesday.

The parliament speaker stressed that Lithuania is a reliable EU member state and, naturally, takes into account the opinion of partners and consults with the European Commission after another package of sanctions against Russia took effect on 10 July.

As reported, when EU sanctions on Russian steel and other ferrous metals entered into force on 17 June, Lithuania restricted their transit to and from Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. On 10 July, a new package of EU sanctions on Russia applied, banning imports and transit of Russian cement, alcohol and various luxury goods.

On 10 August, restrictions on Russian coal and other solid fossil fuels will take effect as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has responded to EU sanctions with threats to take “harsh measures” against Lithuania.