The Saeima supports the inclusion of manganese ore in the list of sanctioned goods

On Wednesday, the Saeima supported the draft decision on measures to terminate the economic cooperation of the Latvian state with the aggressor countries – Russia and Belarus. The deputies call on the European Union (EU) to immediately develop the 14th round of sanctions against Russia and to include manganese ore in the list of sanctioned goods in order to prevent it from reaching Russia and being used in the military industry.

As informed by the press service of the Saeima, the deputies indicate that the pressure of EU sanctions against Russia should be maintained, including by applying new restrictive measures, and the EU sanctions against Belarus and Russia should be adjusted. The document also expresses full support for the announcement of the customs services of the Baltic States on January 26 of this year about the regional approach to ensure unified customs control and information exchange for the implementation of the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus.

In the draft decision, the deputies draw attention to the fact that in order to promptly limit the arrival of manganese ore in Russia, it should be given the status of a dual-use commodity, as provided by the relevant EU regulation. The MPs call on the governments of all EU member states to take appropriate decisions at the national level.

Members of the Saeima call on the governments of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland to adopt a mutually coordinated decision on banning the transit of dual-use goods in accordance with the regulation, thus preventing goods from reaching military end uses or being incorporated into military goods, or being used in their production. The MPs also call on the mentioned national governments and responsible institutions to apply the right granted by EU regulations to limit the transit and export of goods in cases where unusual volumes or routes indicate the risk of circumvention of the sanctions regime.

At the moment, both the analysis of national level data and the assessment of international experts clearly indicate significant risks related to the increase in the volume of exports of dual-use goods and goods included in the sanctions lists to several countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, the document says. It also notes that the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for the implementation of as wide as possible bans and restrictions on mutual trade (import and export) and transit with Russia and Belarus.

Deputies remind that the EU regulation imposes an obligation on any exporter who knows that the exported goods are intended in whole or in part for military purposes, as is the case with manganese ore, to inform the competent authority. This competent authority shall decide whether the export in question should be authorised. Deputies encourage all businessmen to carefully evaluate and fulfill their obligation to inform the competent authority and request an export permit for goods that could be used for military end-uses or for incorporation into military goods, or for use in their production.

All businessmen of Latvia and the EU are invited to refuse to provide such services, as a result of which certain types of goods or services may end up at the disposal of the Russian military industry and be used for the continuation of aggression against Ukraine.

The MPs also repeatedly categorically condemn the actions of the aggressor countries and demand an immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of all their military forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. The MPs also appreciate the economic, financial, military and political support provided to Ukraine so far and the application of sanctions achieved at the EU level against the aggressor country Russia and its ally Belarus.