Lithuania seeks EU support on Russia border clampdown

Lithuania has accused Russia of imposing new border checks for political reasons and urged the EU to show solidarity. Its foreign minister, Linas Linkevicius, told EUobserver on the 16 September 2013, the border clampdown is part of Russia's campaign to intimidate former Soviet states which want EU integration.

His complaint came after Russia imposed on the 11 September 2013 a new customs regime on Lithuanian road hauliers.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: Speech: Statement on the pressure exercised by Russia on countries of the Eastern Partnership http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-statement-on-the-pressure-exercised-by-russia-on-countries-of-the-eastern-partnership/

ESO: Background Information: Russia bans Moldova wine ahead of EU summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-bans-moldova-wine-ahead-of-eu-summit/

BBC News, 07.10.13: Russia halts Lithuania dairy imports in trade row http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24433418

Lietuvos rytas, 17.09.13: Russia wages economic war on Lithuania (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/results/archiv_article/ARTICLE130259-Russia-wages-economic-war-on-Lithuania

Delfi, 08.10.13: Moscow’s dairy ‘embargo’ sparks confusion in Vilnius (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/4211351-moscow-s-dairy-embargo-sparks-confusion-vilnius

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