14 Jul 2022 13:05

Kaliningrad governor says transit problem solved 80%, seeks to do more

KALININGRAD. July 14 (Interfax) - The solution to the Kaliningrad transit problem will bring 80% of the cargo back to railroads, Kaliningrad Governor Anton Alikhanov said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel (VGTRK).

"This is a fine diplomatic victory won by our diplomats in the complex problem of Kaliningrad transit. According to our estimates, over 80% of transit restricted by the EU and Lithuania is permitted again. Yet there are still restrictions on truck transit. So, we will seek further, complete removal of the restrictions. We understand what to demand and how," Alikhanov said.

It would be logical to lift restrictions on trucks, considering that EU transport companies are allowed to operate in Russia, he said.

The EU guidelines mention the average level of transportation in the past three years and say that it is not allowed to be surpassed, Alikhanov said. He called the requirement absurd, saying that the EU should create no impediments to the economic development of the region. "It is yet unclear how this will work. Let us wait and see," he said.

Cement trains will cross Lithuania in the coming days, the governor said. Cement transportation by sea had been organized long ago, but it is somewhat expensive, which is bad for the building industry, he said.

On Wednesday, the European Commission allowed Russia with certain reservations to transport sanctioned goods by rail to and from the Kaliningrad region via the EU territory.