The Seimas of Lithuania on Tuesday denounced the country’s customs cooperation treaty signed with Belarus almost two decades ago.
Ninety-three lawmakers voted in favour of the motion and two abstained.
According to the Finance Ministry, which drafted the motion, the Lithuanian and Belarusian customs authorities have not cooperated and exchanged information since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, so it is appropriate to denounce the document.
According to the ministry, trade and economic cooperation with Belarus is completely suspended and impossible. Moreover, people who trade with Belarus are required to submit documents issued by their customs authorities as evidence to the Lithuanian customs authorities and courts to prove the legality of their trade and compliance with the international sanctions.
The treaty was signed in Vilnius in July 1996 and ratified by both governments in 2000.
In early October, the Lithuanian parliament also denounced Lithuania’s three international treaties with Russia and Belarus on economic cooperation.
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