Lithuania puts Russia, Belarus, Crimea on its list of hostile countries, territories

VILNIUS – The Lithuanian government approved on Wednesday a list of hostile countries and territories whose companies can be excluded from public procurement tenders or existing contracts with them can be terminated. 

The list, drawn up by the Economy and Innovation Ministry, includes Russia, Belarus, the annexed Crimea, Moldova's breakaway territory of Transnistria, and Georgia's breakaway territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.  

"Until now, contracting authorities have had no grounds to reject bids or terminate public procurement contracts where the goods offered come from countries posing threats or suppliers are linked to them," Economy and Innovation Minister Ausrine Armonaite said in a press release.   

"Based on the approved list of states, procuring entities will be able to take decisions to ensure that public procurement does not finance these hostile states," she said. 

The list will apply while Lithuania is under a state of emergency or other measures defined by the government are in place.

On March 17, the parliament passed the respective amendments to the procurement laws and asked the government to draw up a list of hostile countries.