Lithuania has moved a step closer to halting the transhipment of Belarusian potash via its territory, after a government commission said on Dec. 21 an agreement signed by state-run railway Lietuvos Geležinkeliai (LTG) in 2018 to transport potash from sanctions-hit Belarus goes against national security interests, Reuters has reported.
According to the report, the door is now open for Lithuania’s government to terminate the rail transportation contract.
The country’s Transport Ministry on Dec. 10 registered a proposed bill, which if passed, would allow Lithuania to prevent any transit of Belarus potash or fertilizer via its territory.
Belarus rails most of its potash for export through Lithuania, into the Lithuanian port of Klaipėda for onward shipment.
Belarusian authorities warned that Lithuania may face “multi-billion” lawsuits if the transit of Belarusian potash and fertilizers is banned, according to the tvr.by report.