Norway Joins Sectoral Sanctions Against Lukashenka

• 8.10.2024, 8:54

The restrictions are "comprehensive".

Norway imposed sanctions against Belarus "in response to the role and participation of the Belarusian regime in Russia's attack on Ukraine in violation of international law," according to a statement published on October 7 on the country's government website, Pozirk writes.

The restrictions are reportedly "in line with the measures taken by the EU against Belarus on June 29, 2024" and are comprehensive: they target several sectors of the Belarusian economy, including trade, services and transport.

"The sanctions are intended, in particular, to prevent the circumvention of sanctions against Russia. Some of the measures provided for in the sanctions regime against Russia also apply to Belarus," the release reads.

The measures include expanding the ban on technical assistance related to defence goods and technologies, a ban on the transit of weapons, components and ammunition through the territory of Belarus, a ban on the sale of intellectual property rights related to such goods, a ban on the export of goods that could contribute to the enhancement of industrial and military-technical potential or the development of the defence and security sector of Belarus, a ban on the transit of multi-purpose goods and technologies through the territory of Belarus, etc.

Norway will also introduce a ban on legal entities becoming trucking companies if they are 25% or more owned by Belarusian individuals or legal entities, and a ban on trucking companies established in Norway that are 25% or more owned by Belarusian individuals or legal entities from carrying out road freight transportation in Norway, including transit (the report notes that exceptions are possible here).