Russia, Lithuania: positive outlook towards Kaliningrad agreement

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Jul 2022 22:09

Russia is looking into the EU commission clarifications and assesses them in light of Kaliningrad's benefits.

Moscow will closely monitor how these actions are carried out

Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, on Wednesday, that despite certain concerns, Moscow considers the European Commission's decision on the transit of Kaliningrad as "common sense" and will closely monitor how these actions are carried out. Zakharova stated that Moscow was carefully considering the reasons offered by the European Commission, assessing them in light of a key issue – total life support for the Kaliningrad area.

"This decision, which removes restrictions on a certain range of products transported by rail, is a manifestation of realism and common sense. Although we still have questions about the content of this document. Of course, the Russian side will closely monitor how these EU steps will be implemented in practice," Zakharova said.

On July 13th, the European Commission issued clarifications on sanctions on Russia, according to which road access to Kaliningrad is still illegal, but rail transit is permitted with proper controls.

"On 13 July 2022, the Commission updated its guidance on the transit of sanctioned Russian goods through the EU territory. We welcome the Commission’s total ban on the transit through the EU territory of goods that serve military purpose, dual-use goods and technologies. Lithuania also welcomes the limitation by the Commission of volumes of the transit of goods through the EU territory on the basis of historical averages of the last three years, reflecting only the real need for essential goods, as well as the necessity to strengthen the transit control," the statement says.

On this note, the suggestions of the European Commission regarding transit to Kaliningrad have been favorably evaluated by Lithuania, and the government plans to abide by them in order "not to split the transatlantic unity," according to the foreign ministry of the country.