Compensation issue resolved for fuel leak into the Daugava

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that the issue of compensation for the pollution of the Daugava River caused by a damaged diesel fuel transportation pipeline in Belarus, on 23 March last year, has been resolved.

Latvia received LVL 318,246 (USD 667,182) in compensation from the Zapad-Transnefteprodukt company, owner of the damaged transportation pipeline which caused the diesel fuel leak. It can be considered that the losses caused to Latvia have now been redressed. 

Having assessed the provisions of international law which is binding for Latvia and Belarus, the Foreign Ministry became involved in the solution of the issue, closely co-operating with the Ministry of Environment and co-ordinating the exchange of information on the scale of environmental pollution and damage with the relevant authorities in Belarus through diplomatic channels. By means of a diplomatic note of 21 July, the Foreign Ministry advised its Belarusian counterpart on the scale of losses incurred and the procedure for submission of the compensation claim.   

In order to reduce further risks of pollution, environmental protection has been set out as one of this year's goals for development co-operation projects with Belarus. Last year, the Foreign Ministry from its development co-operation funds financed a co-operation project The strengthening of co-operation between Belarus and the Republic of Latvia on the priority issues of environmental protection between environmental authorities of both countries.

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