Lithuania and Estonia support Latvia's initiative to ban grain imports from Russia - Latvian PM

RIGA. Jan 24 (Interfax) - Latvia has achieved support from Lithuania and Estonia for its initiative to ban the import of Russian grain, though decisions are needed at the European Union level in order for the measure to be effective, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina said on TV3.

Silina said that there was no sense in Latvia to oppose imports of Russian grain alone, as unilateral restrictions would not achieve the goal. This would be "a ban on paper only", which would not really apply, since the grain would enter the European Union and, in particular, Latvia through other routes.

Therefore, Silina noted that Latvia is the first country to raise the issue at the EU level and intends to continue to explain the need for an import ban.

When asked to comment on the statements of Lithuanian representatives regarding Latvia posing a big problem itself in terms of imports of Russian grain, Silina replied that these statements are intended to divert attention, because "a fairly large transshipment takes place at their ports."

Latvia is the second largest importer of Russian agricultural and food products into the EU after Spain, according to Latvia's Agriculture Ministry.