Latvian transport minister welcomes EU sanctions deal

The European Union does not allow road haulage within the EU, including transit, for a road haulage company registered in Russia and Belarus. The sanctions impose import restrictions on certain goods exported from or originating in Russia, including coal and other solid fossil fuels.

Together with its neighbours, Latvia is one of the initiators of the adoption of this sanctions package, so Minister of Transport T lis Linkaits is pleased that the EU Member States have finally been able to reach an agreement. The Minister of Transport stated that Latvia is ready to implement them immediately by imposing restrictions on the transportation of cargo from Russia and Belarus by road and sea, as well as closing Latvian ports to Russian ships.

The Minister calls for Latvian carriers to follow the decisions in this area closely and return vehicles in Russia and Belarus to the EU Member States, taking into account the possible steps of the response.

With a united and firm response from the EU by imposing new sanctions, we can put enough pressure on Russia and achieve tangible results in the fight for democracy and freedom in Ukraine, said Minister of Transport T lis Linkaits.

Some exceptions cover essential goods, such as agricultural and food products, humanitarian aid and postal services.

The restrictions were already adopted in the fifth package of sanctions in response to the regime of President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and its brutal aggression in Ukraine. The decision will be entered into force on the day after it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Within a few days of the publication of the decision, the requirements for ports and road transport must be implemented.