Lithuania breaks agreement with Russia on merchant shipping due to gross violation of international law

The Cabinet of Ministers of Lithuania supported the proposal to denounce merchant shipping agreements with Russia.

This was reported by the Lithuanian newspaper Kauno diena.

After the government approves this initiative, the president will be asked to submit this issue to the Seimas to denounce the agreement.

The Ministry of Transport explains that the agreement was signed in 1993 and regulates relations in the field of maritime transport. It includes rules for the carriage of goods, cooperation between shipping companies and related organizations, customs and other formalities at ports, allowing crew members to go ashore without a visa, as well as other aspects of maritime affairs.

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According to the ministry, the provisions of this agreement are no longer relevant for Lithuania. In addition, the denunciation is proposed due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the Kremlin's gross violation of international law, which has led to a complete cessation of cooperation with the Russian regime.

The draft notes that the agreement has lost its relevance, since Lithuania is a member of the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization, and has also acceded to regional agreements.

The conventions of these organizations, which Lithuania has ratified, guarantee the rights of seafarers to go ashore without a visa, safe working and living conditions on ships, fair employment conditions, access to health care and social guarantees.

These agreements also regulate various areas of international shipping, including the safe operation of ships, the prevention of pollution from ships, the protection of ships and the working and living conditions of seafarers on board.

Prepared by: Nina Petrovich