The Prime Minister does not see the fault of the ministers
The Prime Minister did not see the fault of the ministers and stated that they had assumed the “reputational damage” caused by the actions of the management of Lithuanian Railways.
She stated that she appreciated the readiness of G.Landsbergis and M.Skuodis to take responsibility, but could not agree with that.
“Not only because, as it turned out, the ministries had to operate in the conditions of incomplete information, but also because the path that poses the least risk to the state before refusing cargo has yet to be marked, and resignations will not help to do so. Therefore, I will not submit requests for the resignation of the ministers to the President and I persuaded the ministers to withdraw the requests tonight, “the Prime Minister said.
I. Šimonytė hopes that by the end of January at the latest, all “national solutions to the current situation, ensuring the interests of the state national security and minimizing financial risks” related to the termination of Belaruskalij transit will be presented.
“At the same time, proposals would be made at the EU level and further sectoral sanctions against the Belarusian regime and maximum synchronization with the US sanctions would be sought,” the Prime Minister stated.
Photo by Paulius Peleckis / 15min / Ingrida Šimonytė
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The opposition raises many questions
Meanwhile, 50 representatives of the Seimas opposition registered a draft resolution of the Seimas on Tuesday, which proposes to form a Seimas temporary commission to investigate the transit of Belarusian fertilizers through Lithuania in 2021. fall circumstances.
Representatives of the Seimas opposition emphasize that the transit of Belaruskalij fertilizers through Lithuania with the message of AB Lietuvos Geležinkeliai, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport continues despite the effective US sanctions against this company, although members of the government formed by I. Šimonytė have publicly declared to comply with and stop the transit of fertilizers from 2021 onwards. December 8
Members of the Seimas see reputational threats to the prestige of the state and the credibility of its foreign policy among the international community, and especially NATO allies, note emphasizes the need for transparency, political responsibility and publicity to the damage suffered or likely to be suffered by the state and the need to assess the circumstances of Belaruskalij’s transit of fertilizers through Lithuania, the actions of high-ranking officials that may have determined it, and the issue of their responsibility.
It is proposed that the Seimas form a temporary Seimas commission of inquiry of 13 parliamentarians and instruct it to carry out the circumstances of the transit of Belaruskalij fertilizers through Lithuania in the autumn of 2021. parliamentary inquiry.
Representatives of the opposition want the commission to determine which persons are responsible.
Sigismund Gedvila / 15min photo / Mantas Bartuška
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The Commission should also determine the circumstances of the meeting of the Board of Lietuvos Geležinkeliai on 23.08.2021 and the meeting of the Head of Lithuanian Railways, Head of Law and Compliance and Chief Financial Officer with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of the Sanctions Group on 30.08.2021. the extent to which the current leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoI) were briefed on the current situation.
The Commission should identify the circumstances of the MoU meeting with OFAC investigators on 24.09.2021 and the decisions taken during it, as well as other cases of cooperation / consultation with OFAC and the decisions taken during them.
The Commission should assess the circumstances of the meeting of the Board of Lietuvos Geležinkeliai on 28 September 2021 and determine the decisions taken during it and the persons responsible for their control;
The Commission would assess the request of Lietuvos Geležinkeliai to Belaruskalij regarding the transition to advance payments and the subsequent agreements, identify the persons who initiated and are responsible for them, and the circumstances of receiving advance payments. It would also determine whether and to what extent the ministers or the Prime Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and / or MoI have been informed of the advances received and what action they have taken since receiving the information.
15min photo / Gabrielius Landsbergis and Marius Skuodis
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The Commission should also determine the circumstances under which Lietuvos Geležinkeliai received a formal commercial offer from one payment platform for servicing Belaruskalij after 8 December 2021. and to assess the extent to which the MFA and MoI ministers and their political team were aware of the proposal; what decisions or assessments the ministers and their political team submitted to the management of Lietuvos Geležinkeliai.
The Commission should also determine whether the government, in the presence of Prime Minister Šimonyte and / or the Chancellor of the Government, discussed the transit of Belaruskalij fertilizers during the US sanctions and / or related advance payments, and, if so, what decisions were made on transit and and / or advances have been accepted.
It is proposed to carry out this parliamentary study and present its conclusions by 2022. March 31
The draft resolution is submitted by 50 representatives of the Seimas opposition from the Regions, the Social Democrats, the Lithuanian Peasants ‘and Greens’ Union, the Labor Party, and the Democrats on behalf of Lithuania.
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