Belarus, Lithuania to Expand Transport Cooperation

18 October 2005

Belarus and Lithuania are planning further expansion of co-operation in the transport sphere, Belarusian Transport Minister Mikhail Borovoi informed on October, 18.

Among the joint projects, the Minister mentioned co-operation with Klaipeda port and Viking container train delivering Scandinavian cargo from Lithuania to Ukrainian seaports via Belarus. The parties are working on a uniform tariff policy in waterway and railway transport. At the moment, Belarusian carriers enjoy a 40% discount in Klaipeda port.

Lithuanian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belarus Petras Vaitekunas reported, 22% of the Belarusian foreign trade cargo is transhipped via Klaipeda port (5 million tons per year).

Belarus and Lithuania are about to sign an intergovernmental agreement on inland waterway transport, Petras Vaitekunas reported. This agreement will contribute to the development of tourism both in Lithuania and in Belarus.

It is also planned to arrange a tourist route to Kaunas down the Avgustovski Channel via Grodno and Druskininkai. The project will enjoy considerable support on the part on the Belarusian and Lithuanian authorities and the administrations of Grodno and Druskininkai.

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Выступление Министра М.Рыженкова на открытых дебатах Совета Безопасности ООН // Statement by Minister M.Ryzhenkov at the open debate of the UN Security Council