“We fully understand what kind of state it is there.” Lithuanian carriers are not planning to file lawsuits in Belarusian courts over detained trucks

Illustrative image. Photo: Nasha Niva

Erlandas Mikėnas noted that after discussions with seven law firms, ‘Linava’s’ position has changed: the main goal now is not lawsuits, but finding a common solution together with the government. Mikėnas expressed hope that common sense will prevail and the parties will be able to overcome the crisis through agreements.

Earlier this week, the head of the association stated that more than a hundred transport companies were ready to join a collective lawsuit, as trucks continued to be detained at the border with Belarus. However, ‘Linava’ is now more inclined towards working together with the government.

According to Mikėnas, the carriers’ goal is to push the authorities towards real actions, because until now, in his opinion, there has only been a mutual shifting of responsibility and accusations. Instead, businesses expect constructive dialogue and the search for solutions that would allow carriers to support the government.

At the same time, the head of ‘Linava’ again rejected politicians’ proposals to file lawsuits against Belarus. He emphasized that the crisis arose as a result of political decisions, and therefore it is the Lithuanian authorities who should first take the initiative to resolve it. Mikėnas noted that suing in Belarus is practically impossible due to the state of the legal system there.

«We are not filing lawsuits against Belarus. We interact with certain Belarusian institutions at the association level and fully understand what kind of state it is there, what kind of legal ‘lawlessness’ it is. It seems that we simply have no opportunities for legal proceedings there,» assured the representative of Lithuanian carriers.

He also criticized the Lithuanian government’s method of communication with carriers, stating that discussing problems through the media rather than at the negotiating table looks absurd and could harm Lithuania’s interests. According to him, the Belarusian authorities see and hear all public statements, which could be used against the carriers themselves and the country as a whole.

In addition, Mikėnas noted that carriers do not receive direct information about what steps the government is taking to return trucks from Belarus. Because of this, the impression is created that no real actions are being taken, and the industry’s problems are being ignored.

The crisis on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border arose after Belarus had used contraband balloons for several months to violate Lithuania’s airspace. In response, the Lithuanian government closed border crossing points in Medininkai and Šalčininkai at the end of last October. After this, the Lukashenka regime prohibited Lithuanian trucks from moving through the country, as a result of which many vehicles were forced to stand in special paid areas. The situation did not resolve even after the Lithuanian government reopened the border, not waiting for the initially designated one-month period to end.