“Even hell must be reached”: Latvian minister defends bus routes to Russia
## Enough traveling to Russia
Yesterday, during a plenary session of the Saeima, a request was discussed directed to the Minister of Transport, Aitis Švinka, regarding bus passenger transport to Russia and Belarus. It is worth noting that this is the second attack by the opposition on the head of the Ministry of Transport in the last two weeks — the first attack was related to ensuring passenger transport in the provinces and nearly resulted in A. Švinka’s resignation. Yesterday, the deputies attempted to “punish” the minister for the fact that Latvia has still not banned regular transport to the RF and RB.
“When it comes to regional transport and its reduction, the minister decides to cut routes by 16 percent starting January 1… When a decision needs to be made about regular public transport to Russia, the minister tries to find reasons not to do it (I quote): ‘You have to get to hell too,'” the minister explained the existing cooperation in the transport sector with Russia.
And here, it is clearly more important for the minister to travel to hell than to have regular routes to Lestene, Jaunpils, Sunakste, or Pilrundale. And this list is very long. And all the regions of Latvia, very many, different settlements,” said National Alliance deputy and former Minister of Transport Janis Vitenbergs from the Saeima podium.
As is known, the National Alliance has already supported the initiative to dismantle the railway tracks in the direction of Russia, that is, to cease the activities of the broad gauge railway connecting us with the countries of the former USSR.
However, let’s return to Janis Vitenbergs: “The question we each need to ask here in the Saeima is whether we want economic cooperation of various kinds with the aggressor countries, with Russia and Belarus, or we do not want it. And these questions from the National Alliance have been prepared and raised in various areas. Exports to Russia — this year it will reach a billion volume. Goods of Russian and Belarusian origin are still found in our stores. The army has just requested to dismantle the railway tracks to Russia and Belarus. But it was not heard. The ‘Mere’ store in Latvia continues to operate. I remind you that in Poland there was quite a harsh decision and that chain of stores does not operate there. Entrepreneurs working in Russia and Belarus can still participate in public procurement.
## “We are punishing our own”
The right opposition was countered by the left: “A very important question is what we will achieve by closing the borders. Will we stop illegal immigration…? It happens outside of legal transport. Security? Security is strengthened by intelligence, control, professional work of services, not by mechanically closing borders. Economic security? What will we achieve? Closing the borders will only worsen it.
Closing the borders affects the people of Latvia, our residents, who have families, relatives, transactions, property, or other types of legal ties. By closing the borders, we are punishing our own…”.
In the end, the request to the minister was not supported, although it is curious that one of the coalition deputies, Uldis Augulis (Union of Greens and Farmers), who last week voted with the opposition for the resignation of the same Švinka, also voted for this request.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transport A. Švinka announced on the very day the request was considered that his ministry had prepared a draft government decision to cease regular bus transport to the RF and RB until better times. It can be assumed that such transport will cease as early as next year.