"Russia became a totally unreliable and unpredictable business partner. We must calmly assess our economic situation and foresee export opportunities for Lithuanian products and assistance to business so that the country's economy would suffer as little as possible. Last year, exports of Lithuanian agricultural and food products to Russia accounted for only 1 percent of the total exports from Lithuania. Carriers and manufacturers of dairy products may have more difficulties. But this Russian lesson is not new for them," the President said.
According to the President, exporters who significantly helped Lithuania get out of the crisis deserve the support. Lithuania has a source of financial assistance - 200 million Litas of European funds for promoting export. Furthermore, yesterday the European Commission voiced its clear position on Russian measures reserving the right to take action as appropriate. "I can confirm that we will respond at both national and European levels," the President said.
The Lithuanian head of state noted that the current situation should prompt Lithuanian business people to start exploring new markets and find flexible solutions. "Lithuanian entrepreneurship managed to withstand even harder challenges and emerge only stronger," Dalia Grybauskaitė said.
The President called on the Minister of Economy and Minister of Agriculture to consider the situation with business representatives and to provide every possible assistance in searching for alternative markets.
