Last year Latvia's exports to Russia's neighboring countries increased steeply

RIGA - Last year, Latvia's export to Russia's neighboring countries increased steeply, including in the categories of EU sanctioned goods.

Data of the Central Statistical Bureau suggest that Latvia's exports to Kazakhstan last year reached EUR 118 million, which is 2.5 times more than in 2021. To other CIS countries export value is lower, while to Kyrgyzstan exports rose 3.5 times to EUR 24 million and to Armenia - 2.7 times to EUR 23 million.

Even though it is clear that for those companies who exported products to Russia and Belarus it is much easier to find partners among former members of the USSR, there is still a question about categories of exported goods as exports of EU sanctioned goods have increased steeply.

At the same time, government institutions may not directly control whether Russia receives the sanctioned goods through its neighboring countries.

"Undoubtedly, it is a problem. It is clear that Russia and Belarus, subjected to sanctions, are looking for ways to go round the sanctions with the help of the third countries," Executive Vice-President of the European Commission (EC), Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis (New Unity) told LETA earlier.