After the Lithuanian authorities decided to close the border crossing points with Belarus due to the launch of meteorological balloons from that country, hundreds of Lithuanian truck drivers got stuck at the border crossings, reports the portal lrytas.lt, citing the National Association of Road Carriers of Lithuania (Linava). This was reported by la.lv.
According to the association, several hundred carriers are currently unable to return to Lithuania.
Some of them are forced to travel through Latvia or Poland, but huge queues have formed at the border crossings of these countries, and many drivers are unable to cross the border even via alternative routes.
"Members of our organization report a critical situation: some trucks are stuck in Belarus, others are forced to look for detours, which increases costs and disrupts supply chains.
Moreover, dozens of vehicles are currently unable to enter through the border points of Latvia or Poland, as they have already passed control on the Belarusian side, but after the border closure, they were not allowed to return to Lithuania.
This raises serious questions about the rights of drivers," said Narūnas Raulinaitis, the Secretary General of the association.
According to him, the situation is becoming increasingly complicated, and coordinated measures need to be taken immediately.
"We urge the government to urgently hold a meeting with representatives of the transport sector to find a solution for the return of carriers' vehicles to Lithuania and to ensure the continued movement of goods," emphasized Raulinaitis.
As previously reported, after the mass launch of smuggled balloons recorded last week, the Lithuanian government decided to close the border with Belarus until November 30.
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