The head of the government, Andris Kulbergs, has repeatedly expressed support for a complete break in economic ties with the East. Seeing this attitude, the Saeima Defense Commission wrote to the executive power – it is time to make public all those who cooperate with the Russian Federation and Belarus!
One Can Run into Court
In the government’s response, which is available on the portal mk.gov.lv, there is, however, a noted obstacle – if the information from the State Revenue Service, which controls customs, is published, then firms may incur reputational costs. They will not be taken on as partners, even if they have ceased cooperation, "thus not supporting the economy of the aggressor state."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, represented by State Secretary Andžejs Vilumsons, reminded that "it is necessary to take into account the fact that the one-sidedly denounced agreement between the governments of the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Belarus on the promotion and protection of investments, which was denounced by the Saeima in 2023, is still in force until 2043 for investors from the Republic of Belarus, which inter alia prohibits discriminatory treatment based on citizenship and allows investors to file claims in international arbitration courts for violations of this legal instrument."
Support for Civil Ukrainians
The Ministry of Justice, for its part, confirmed that a list of those trading with the East is being prepared, and, strangely enough, in accordance with the amendments to the Law on Support for Civil Residents of Ukraine. However, the publication of information about the beneficiaries of such transactions "could indirectly affect the right of individuals to protect personal data."
And here is such a surprising statement:
"In the view of the Cabinet of Ministers, the publication of information about commercial entities conducting transactions with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus does not in itself generate legal and economic consequences, unless specific restrictions or prohibitions are additionally defined in the sectoral regulatory act..."
So it seems that achieving a complete break is not so simple – after all, we live in a rule of law state!
