US aware Lithuania cannot unilaterally lift Belarus sanctions, MP says

VILNIUS - Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, said on Friday that the US administration understands Lithuania cannot unilaterally lift sanctions on Belarus.

"Even if Lithuania wanted to ease or thaw sanctions at this stage, it could not (...). There can be no unilateral decision. The United States knows this," Motuzas told reporters. 

The remarks follow an interview with public broadcaster LRT by US Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale, who suggested that bilateral political meetings between Vilnius and Minsk could take place at the deputy ministerial level and noted that Washington would benefit from the restoration of fertiliser transit through Lithuania.

Motuzas emphasised that the common position of European Union member states remains key. On February 26, the European Union extended sanctions against Belarus for another year, including those on Belarusian fertilisers.

"Lithuania continues to maintain a consistent position, which is a policy of sanctions, because as you know, we extended the sanctions together with other EU states. We are sticking to that position," the committee chair said.

"We are maintaining our consistent position because we still have unresolved issues with Belarus," the committee he added.

Motuzas also assured that no negotiations are currently underway with the US regarding fertiliser transport or high-level political meetings.