"By discriminating Lithuanian haulers, the customs of the Russian Federation also discriminates the European Union. I hope that the European Commission takes immediate action to change the situation," Verhofstadt said.
In his words, the European Commission should urgently prepare a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"Pressure on Lithuania is pressure on all of the European Union, we cannot stand aside," Verhofstadt said in a press release.
On Wednesday, leaders of the Liberal Movement group in the Lithuanian parliament and ALDE turned to the European Union's High Commissioner Catherine Ashton, suggesting that the EC should send an official complaint to the World Trade Organization so that it take immediate action to change the situation.
"Although Russia joined the World Trade Organization in 2012, it is today clearly inconsistent with the key membership requirements on elimination of trade restrictions and protectionist policies, open market, etc. The World Trade Organization should make sure and take any action to make sure that Russia complies with provisions of the organization," said Eligijus Masiulis, the leader of the Liberal Movement parliamentary group.
The EC on Wednesday warned Russia that the enhanced checks on Lithuanian haulers could run counter to the requirements of the World Trade Organization.
