"It's not acceptable that Russia uses trade instruments in order to create certain political problems. That is just not acceptable. Lithuania should be aware that whole of European Union is behind Lithuania," the influential MEP told BNS in Strasbourg.
He pledged that the EP would issue a unified statement, adding that the Russian actions are inconsistent with its international commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Lithuania's Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius said on Tuesday he did not rule out the possibility of turning to the World Trade Organization over the Russian ban of Lithuanian dairy imports, saying the measure was marginal.
Lithuania's government emphasized that clashes against third countries are opened by joint agreement of EU countries.
The Russian consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor on Monday instructed the customs to halt the imports of Lithuanian dairy products. Lithuanian companies and institutions confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that trucks carrying dairy products are suspended on the border.
Russian authorities maintain the products fall short of sanitary standards, while the European Commission stated full confidence in the quality of Lithuanian dairy products.
In January-July this year, Lithuanian dairy exports to Russia accounted for 34.2 percent of dairy exports.
Last year, Lithuanian companies exported 523.3 million litas (EUR 151.7m) worth of dairy production last year.
