EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Lithuania, Port, Railways, Transport

As reported, the EU Commission has fined Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai with EUR 27.87 million for breaching the EU's competition rules, saying that the state railway company "failed to show any objective justification" for the removal of the rail track to Renge, in Latvia. The decision still can be appealed.

At the same time, any person or company that has been affected by this deed may apply for compensations for loss.

Latvijas Dzelzcels representative Maris Ozols told LETA that the company is still assessing the situation and estimating loss caused by removal of the rails. The company does not exclude demanding compensations from the Lithuanian railway company.

Riga Freeport administration representative Liene Ozola told LETA that the situation still has to be assessed, but the Riga port does not exclude a possibility to turn to court against Lithuania, either.

LETA also reported that Latvia has presented Lithuania with an official note over the removal of the rail tracks between Mazeikiai and Renge. Lithuania dismantled the aforementioned railway section in 2008. Latvia claims that by doing so, Lithuania unfairly restricted Latvia’s competitiveness in the rail freight transportation market.