The Lithuanian side referred to the "inconsistency with national security interests," but the Foreign Ministry of our country considers this reason as far-fetched and sees "a precedent of politicization of bilateral cooperation in the economic sphere".
The deal was planned between the Lithuanian company KPS and the Belarusian Beltruboprovodstroy for the construction of a 165-kilometer-long section of the gas pipeline between Lithuania and Poland. Alyaksandr Puhachou says that "the tender lasted a year". His company offered the price of €3 million less than its closest competitors. But before the conclusion of the deal, the Lithuanian government rejected the Belarusians' submission under influence of the Lithuanian state security service: allegedly the Belarusian company could artificially slow down the pace of work, disrupt the project implementation terms and even get secret information.
"I am sure that such a situation on the Lithuanian side is an unfortunate misunderstanding and, as a result, the merits of our company and impeccable fulfillment of its obligations will help to make the right decision in this situation," says a member of the Board of Directors of Beltruboprovodstroy, adding that "our countries have a long history and, in many cases, close family ties between our peoples."
Interestingly, the Lithuanian company, which won the tender in the end, is actively engaged in construction in our country, including at such a strategic facility as the Navapolatsk - Fanipol oil pipeline. And the authorities of our country do not see any danger in this. Some experts believe that Beltruboprovodstroy can still be involved in the construction of a gas pipeline between Lithuania and Poland, along with Lithuanian companies. Puhachou believes that this would be "proof of reconciliation and continuation of constructive cooperation between Belarus and Lithuania.
