"Lithuania must urgently respond to Russia's actions and turn to the WTO together with the European Commission over Russia's discriminatory behavior regarding both trade and dairy product imports and over energy problems. Especially when we see really serious support from the European Commission for such possible steps by Lithuania," he said in a press release on Friday.
The press release came in response to Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius' words that the government was not considering turning to the WTO.
EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht on Wednesday advised maintaining calm and turning to the WTO in case of a "trade war" with Russia. Butkevičius said a day later that Lithuania was not considering turning to the organization.
Kubilius underlined the need to protect "the interests of Lithuanian people and businesses from Russia's discriminatory practices."
Last month, the European Commission warned that Russia's actions could be in breach of its commitments to the WTO.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius turned to EU institutions for support after Russia imposed detailed checks on Lithuanian goods and truckers in mid-September. The measures have not been lifted yet.
