Lithuanian freight carriers, whose transport is stuck in Belarus after the border closure, received bills for the storage of trucks and trailers in Belarusian special parking lots on the morning of December 17, reported the president of the National Association of Freight Carriers Linava, Erlandas Mikenas. This was reported by Lrytas.
"They must pay 120 euros for each day... If the carriers do not pay, the confiscation process will likely be initiated," added Mikenas.
In particular, one company has been billed 13,900 euros for 8 trucks.
He added that the Lithuanian government has not yet responded to the carriers' demands.
At a protest in Vilnius on December 10, Lithuanian freight carriers demanded that the authorities present a specific plan for the return of trucks remaining in special parking lots in Belarus within three days, or proposals for compensation. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė rejected the possibility of compensating these losses.
Linava claims that about 4,000 vehicles of Lithuanian carriers remain in Belarus, including about 1,250 tractors. In negotiations with government agencies, the association cites a figure of 488 trucks. The Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance of Lithuania conducted its own monitoring and stated that 185 Lithuanian trucks and trailers are currently located in special parking lots in Belarus. Belarusian authorities reported approximately 1,800 vehicles.
Relations between Belarus and Lithuania deteriorated in October. Against the backdrop of increased smuggling of cigarettes into Lithuania via meteorological balloons, which hindered the operation of Vilnius Airport, Lithuania closed border crossing points with Belarus until the end of November. After that, it became clear that many trucks remained in Belarus with no possibility of returning to Lithuania. The Belarusian government initially restricted their movement and then decided to release the drivers while leaving the vehicles in special parking lots.
The Lithuanian government decided to reopen the border early to return the trucks, which was done on the night of November 20, but this did not resolve the issue.
