Latvian PM admits Riga cannot ban transit of Russian grain

Latvia cannot impose duties or completely ban the transit of Russian-made grain through its territory. This was stated by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, writes sb.by.

As reported by TASS with reference to the state television and radio LSM, Andris Kulbergs noted:

The main problem is that the EU has the exclusive right to determine both tariff and transit issues. We can do this under certain conditions, but that means specific risks.”.

According to him, Russian grain is not included in the sanctions lists, and its buyers are strategic allies of Riga: the United States, Switzerland and Japan, because of which possible transit restrictions can turn into litigation for € 200-800 million. Kulbergs stressed that Latvia is already involved in a similar case worth €12 billion and may be forced to pay about €450 million as a result of the process.

The Latvian Prime Minister stressed that he intends to visit Brussels this week to discuss the issue of limiting the transit of grain at the EU level.

Estonia bans transit of Russian and Belarusian grain through its ports