Prime Minister: Several solutions to the issue of entry of Lithuanian products into Russia are under consideration

Lithuania and European Union (EU) institutions are considering several potential solutions to the issue of Russia’s measures applied to Lithuania and the entry of Lithuanian products into Russia. Talks and discussions are underway not only at a bilateral Lithuanian-Russian level, but also at the highest official level of EU and Russian institutions. A positive outcome of these talks is expected. Speculations in the public space at this crucially important moment are of no use. The important thing is now for institutions and politicians to stay focused rather than making accusations against each other.

“European Commission (EC) representatives call for integrity, which can be interpreted as an urge to refrain from any speculations on the issue and politicising, and to behave in a composed and constructive manner. On Tuesday morning the Cabinet held a sitting in which we discussed a possibility of addressing the World Trade Organisation (the WTO). We are not disregarding such a possibility, however, society and politicians should understand that Lithuania cannot do it on its own. It can only address the organisation together with the EC which is still considering several solutions to the problem that cannot be made public yet. An action brought to the WTO against Russia would be the last resort to solve this dispute, since the entire process would take time, while the issue must be resolved as soon as possible”, states Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius.

Lithuania is a member of the EU, and therefore it cannot undertake a unilateral WTO dispute settlement procedure, as this falls under the exclusive competence of the EU, as an integral part of trade policy. WTO disputes against third parties call for a joint EU decision.

The initiation of a WTO case must be formally approved by the EU College of Commissioners; while commercial, political and other aspects of a case are a matter of discussions in the Trade Policy Committee. The EU or an individual Member State is represented in a dispute by the European Commission. All this would take time, so it would be difficult to expect immediate resolution of the matter.

“Relevant information is being gathered as regards the scale of the problem, and facts are being verified. Based on the information received on Tuesday morning from the Food and Veterinary Service, there has been no ban on dairy products to Russia. Despite the discriminatory measures applied to Lithuania, the Minister of Agriculture, who is now in Moscow, expects to discuss the matter with Russian officials”, – says the Prime Minister.