The Lithuanian Prime Minister does not accept the resignation of the Foreign and Transport Ministers

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonīte announced on Tuesday that she would not accept the resignation of Foreign Minister Gabriel Landsberg and Transport Minister Marjus Skužis, noting that her government would continue in its current composition despite problems with the transit of Belarusian potassium fertilizer producer Belarusjkaļ Entry into force of US sanctions.

“Given the worsening geopolitical situation and the challenges posed by Covid-19 and migration, it would be irresponsible to risk the uncertainty that would result from even trying to form a new ruling majority or fundamentally change the composition of the government,” the prime minister said in a statement. “Therefore, taking into account the trust of the factions of the parties forming the coalition, the government will continue to work in the same composition, cooperating with other institutions, as provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania.”

It has already been reported that the transit of cargo to Belarus through Belarus was not stopped when the US sanctions imposed on this Belarusian state-owned company came into force on December 8. It turned out that Belarusjkali had made an advance payment to the Lithuanian State Railway Company Lietuvos Geležinkeliai in November and that this amount was sufficient for it to continue transporting Belarusjkali’s cargo in December, January and February.

According to Mants Bartuška, the head of Lietuvos Geležinkeliai, the company could face hundreds of millions of euros in breach of the contract.

The government has previously said it is looking for ways for the state railway company to terminate the contract for the transportation of Belarusjkali’s products, while stressing that US sanctions do not directly prohibit the flow of fertilizer in transit through Lithuania.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Landsbergis and Minister of Transport Skuodis resigned after taking responsibility for the fact that the transit of cargo to Belarus through Lithuania was not interrupted.

Last night, Šimonīte admitted the possibility that even her entire government could resign in this situation, but at the same time pointed out that it would be determined primarily by her own “assessment of her ability to safeguard the long-term interests of the state”.

“I also take my personal responsibility very seriously and wholeheartedly, which I am well aware of, but at the moment there is no real alternative majority in the Seimas that could take the lead and take the initiative and offer Lithuania its program,” the Prime Minister has now pointed out.

She added that she had also assessed the readiness of both ministers to take responsibility, but could not accept it.

“Not only because ministries, as it turns out, have had to operate in an environment of incomplete information, but also because a way has yet to be found to give up cargo with the least risk, and [ministru] resignation would not help to do so. Therefore, I will not submit the resignations of the ministers to the President and I persuaded them to withdraw them tonight, “Šimonīte explained.

The head of government expressed confidence that all solutions to the current situation would be offered by the end of January at the latest, which would guarantee the observance of national security interests and minimize the financial risks associated with the interruption of cargo transit for Belarus.

“At the same time, proposals would be made at the European Union (EU) level and an attempt would be made to further extend sectoral sanctions to the Belarussian regime, synchronizing it as much as possible with US sanctions,” she said.

On Tuesday evening, it was also announced that the head of Lietuvos Geležinkeliai, Mants Bartuška, will resign after a transitional period during which he and his team will have to draw up a “very clear, transparent and effective action plan to deal with the situation”.

As explained by the Chairman of the Board of the company Ķētutis Šļužs, the managers of Lietuvos geležinkeliai have focused on minimizing financial risks due to the possible consequences of non-performance of the contract, but this has created reputational risks for the company.

According to him, the board concluded that the reputational risks to the company arose due to the discrepancy between the political will to suspend the transit of “Belarus” and the legal instruments that would ensure it.

“In terms of clarity, unambiguity, transparency, without a doubt, the best instrument would be EU sanctions, depending on how they are worded. If there were such decisions at EU level, there would be no gap between political will and legal instruments, and such a solution would be in the best interests of the company, ”he added.

–