|
On 19 November 1993, Lithuania passed
the resolution On Establishing a Control System for the Export and Import
of Strategic Goods and Technologies, which came into force on 24 November
1993. On 10 March 1994, Lithuania notified COCOM of its attempts to create
a Lithuanian export/import control system. Shortly thereafter, a working
group of representatives from various Lithuanian ministries met to create
a specific plan for establishing the control system. The working group's
program sought to ensure that Lithuania's export control system was consistent
with COCOM requirements.
The Lithuanian government approved
the two-part program on 16 March 1994. The program specified both preparatory
actions and the preparation of laws and legislation related to export,
import, and transit control. On 30 January 1995, the Lithuanian government
approved the bill Concerning Control of the Import, Transit, and Export
of Strategic Goods and Technologies, and presented it to the Seimas
(parliament), which approved the law on 5 July 1995. The law empowers the
Ministry of the Economy to act as the coordinator
and main executor of the export control system, issuing licenses for the
transit and export of controlled goods. The Customs
Department, under the Ministry of Finance,
administers the accounting of controlled imports and exports. Other
ministries and state authorities whose sphere of activity covers specific
controlled items (including the Nuclear Power
Safety Inspectorate (VATESI), which is responsible for control of all
nuclear materials on Lithuanian territory) shall consult with the Ministry
of the Economy on the approval of applications for the import, export,
or transit of controlled goods. The law was to enter into force on 1 July
1996, but on 9 February 1996, the Ministry of Economy requested a delay,
citing potential problems related to Russian military transport between
the contiguous territory of the Russian Federation and Kaliningrad Oblast.
On 3 July 1996, the Seimas postponed the effective date of the law until
1 July 1997. Regulations on the import, transit, and export of nuclear
related goods and technologies were drafted in June 1997.
3/26/2003: LITHUANIAN CUSTOMS CHIEF
RESIGNS
On 26 March 2003, Head of the Lithuanian
Customs Department Valerijonas Valickas
submitted a letter of resignation to the Lithuanian Finance Minister. The
resignation took effect 31 March 2003. The Finance Ministry reported
that the Ministry was not pleased with Valerijonas Valickas's
work. Valickas
was criticized for his management style and lack of cooperation with
the business community.
1/24/2003: LITHUANIA AMENDS
EXPORT CONTROL LEGISLATION; EXPANDS LIST OF EMBARGOED COUNTRIES
According to a report presented at the
Fourth International Conference on Export Controls held 30 September - 3
October 2002 in Warsaw, Poland, the Lithuanian government introduced key changes
to its national export control legislation in 2002.
Prior to 2002, the country's export control system operated under Law No. I-1022
On Control of Import, Transit, and Export of Strategic Goods and Technologies
of 5 July 1995, and several pieces of supporting legislation. On 5 July 2002,
Law No. I-1022 was amended by Law No IX-1051 to include the following major
elements: control of services related to dual-use goods and military equipment;
control of intangible transfers; control of brokering activities; a catch-all
provision; a list of embargoed countries; a list of strategic goods; and
additional restrictions on granting export licenses. Under the amended law,
Lithuania's Ministry of Economy is responsible for export controls over dual-use
goods and military equipment. Export, import, and transit licensing decisions
are made by a Group of Experts, consisting of representatives of various state
agencies.
Government Decree No. 1390 On Approval of Lists of Controlled Strategic Goods
and Technologies, approved on 20 November 2001, entered into force on 20
June 2002. This Decree approved the following two control lists: the List of
Dual-use Goods and Technologies, which is a close translation of Annex I of EU
Council Regulation No. 1334/2000 (22 June 2000); and the List of Military
Equipment, which is a close translation of the EU
list of military equipment covered by the European Union Code of Conduct on Arms
Exports.[1]
More recently, in January 2003, the Foreign Ministry of Lithuania expanded the
list of countries to which Lithuanian companies may not export controlled
strategic goods. Previously, exports of controlled goods were banned to seven
countries by a 1997 parliamentary decree. The expanded list now includes 14
states, the terrorist group al-Qaeda,
and groups related to the Taliban regime. The 14 countries are: Afghanistan,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Congo, Iraq, Liberia,
Myanmar, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.[2] In addition, in
summer 2002 Lithuania introduced a new procedure, whereby the list of embargoed
countries/non-state organizations may be amended without parliamentary approval.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister
Antanas Valionis
said that the new list follows the lists of the UN Security Council and the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.[2]
10/9/2002: US AND LITHUANIA
TO COOPERATE IN NONPROLIFERATION OF WMD
On 9 October 2002, the United States and Lithuania signed an agreement to cooperate in the prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Under
this agreement, the US government transferred
$340,000 dollars worth in equipment to Lithuania's Customs Department,
Border Guard, and the Ministry of National Economy. In addition, the Lithuanian
Ministry of National Economy received "Tracker," a software program that will help the
government to coordinate its export licensing system.
12/99: NEW PROCEDURE FOR
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS TRANSPORT
According to Stasys Motiejunas,
head of the Environment Ministry's Radioactive Materials Unit, a new procedure
regulating the import, export, and transit of nuclear materials entered
into force in December 1999. The procedure was adjusted to meet European
Union legal standards and will remain in force until Lithuania is accepted
for membership in the EU.
Last updated 18 September 2003
Comments or questions? Contact Kenley Butler at
MIIS CNS: Kenley.Butler@miis.edu
|
