The President was interested in fulfilling an obligation to take all the necessary measures to protect Lithuania's economic interests. She noted that decisions to impose restrictions on exports are very likely to be politically motivated, because the Russian Federation until now has not indicated any reasons for suspending the exports of our products. There are no claims from other (70) countries to which Lithuanian-made dairy products are exported.
The President underlined that measures and possibilities to regulate trade with Russia had not been fully exploited yet. According to her, dealing with the matter on the level of the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being is obviously not enough.
"Restrictions on exports of Lithuanian products harm our business. Concerted efforts are needed to protect national economic interests. Every institution on its level must make full use of all available instruments. If bilateral efforts of institutions do not yield any results, Lithuania must be prepared to turn to the World Trade Organization," the President said.
To this end, the head of the state committed responsible authorities to provide the European Commission with the necessary data for applying to the World Trade Organization regarding the ban on Lithuanian dairy exports.
The President has already raised this question on the highest level, presenting it to the European and global leaders as well as in the United Nations.
The President will attend a European Council meeting next week where she will meet with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso to discuss trade restrictions imposed on Lithuania and a possibility for the European Commission to turn to the World Trade Organization.
The Russian Federation has admitted suspending the export of Lithuanian dairy products by notifying the World Trade Organization thereof.
