Baltic states sign cooperation agreement on sanctions implementation
Customs authorities in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have signed a cooperation agreement for a more uniform application of EU sanctions to ensure that the measures against Russia and Belarus are not circumvented.
‘The entry into force of the agreement means, above all, the harmonisation of risk assessment and sanctions monitoring principles and processes,’ the Estonian Tax and Customs Board said, announcing the accord, signed 26 January.
‘The common goal of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is to ensure that prohibited goods and technology do not reach Russia or Belarus,’ said Ursula Riimaa, deputy director of the Customs Board. ‘In our view, rapid exchange of information between customs officials and harmonised requirements for customs documents and additional data will significantly improve the monitoring of the implementation of sanctions, as well as reduce the possibilities for circumvention of sanctions,’ Riimaa said.
