Lithuanian foreign ministry suggests tougher punishment for breaking sanctions on Belarus

February 21, BPN. The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has suggested tougher punishment for breaking the EU’s sanctions on Belarus and Russia, as well as additional visa restrictions on these countries’ nationals, Delfi reports.

According to amendments put forward by the ministry, there should be an option of imposing national sanctions on an aggressor and penalties on violators of both the national and international sanctions.

The ministry suggested a fine of 50 to 100 percent of the value of goods, services or funds undermining international sanctions (but not less than €10,000); and a fine of €10,000 to €50,000 if violation does not involve any goods, services or funds.

It also suggested a fine of 5 percent of the annual income in the event of a repeated violation within a year.

In another bill, the foreign ministry suggested introducing new national sanctions for aggression against Ukraine. It means blocking visa applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals in touch with Lithuanian diplomatic missions, except in cases mediated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The bill contains a set of restrictive measures, estimated to be optimal and balanced. In the face of threats, all the measures are necessary and appropriate. They focus exclusively on the existing threats, so their use will not cause inconvenience to Lithuanian nationals,” a memo reads.

The amendments put forward by the foreign ministry have yet to be approved by the government before they are submitted to the parliament.