Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, Good for Business, Port, Railways, Transport

Anrijs Matiss and Anatoly Sivak. Photo: sam.gov.lv

Both parties agreed to call a road transport committee to decide on issuing additional bilateral permits to freight operators. This will provide extended opportunities for carriers to operate in the Belerusian market.

Matiss said that Latvia is interested in cooperating with Belarus and connecting both countries' rail electrification systems. Belarus has begun building a rail line from Polotsk to the country's border, and has also initiated electrification works in regions around Polotsk. In order to coordinate the Polotsk-Daugavpils (southeastern Latvia) electrification system plans, a joint task force has been established to prepare a schedule for electrification measures of this connection.

Both ministers also stressed the necessity to improve passenger traffic between Minsk and Riga by reducing the time en route, and optimizing the customs procedures. In 2013, a total of 60,400 passengers were transported between Minsk and Riga.

They also discussed the upcoming Latvian-Belarusian cooperation in transport and logistics meeting scheduled for October 9. The event will be held in Minsk and attended by a delegation of transport companies, shippers, logistics companies, and association leaders.