In the Lithuanian Seimas the next round of discussion concerning sale of land to the foreigners lies ahead.

As is known, 47th clause of the Lithuanian Constitution limits the sale of the land to foreigners: they are not authorized to get farmland. But this contradicts to the Amsterdam agreement of 1997 of EU, which proclaimed the right to citizens of Community be engaged in business in territories of the countries included in it without restrictions. And, hence, can become an obstacle in a way to the cherished purpose.

In the Seimas and behind its limits the discussions on this question have already begun. On Tuesday a line of outstanding agricultural experts (V.Velikonis, M.Prontsskus, as P.Aleknavivchjus) have made joint statement in which have stated the approach to the decision of the given problem. According to them, the cancellation of any restrictions for foreigners means that the land will be sold very cheaply, as the market of farmland in Lithuania was not formed yet, and the prices are very low. Therefore the land can become an object of speculation. And so it is at that moment when only less than half of applications of the Lithuanian citizens on restoration of the property are complied.

According to V.Velikonis, such an important question requires preliminary approval on a referendum, which is offered to be carried out on a day of parliamentary elections, that is on The 8th of October. Before starting sale, careful inventorying of the land taking needs of development into account is to be carried out, and the determination of zones where the land is not the subject to sale (for example, territories of national parks, reserves, areas of industrial development, military objects etc.), too. In view of internal needs, in the future, it is necessary to limit its sale to foreigners with quotas annually. Thus, to an agricultural farms no more than 1000 hectares should be sold and to a farmer – no more 150 hectares (and this is not only for foreigners). Besides, to establish the order at which the buyer of the land should present the project of its land-tenure system with perspective of development.

Well, and to avoid speculation and transferring of farmland under other purposes, first of all, it is recommended to license sale of the land, having charged the state commission by the Ministry of Agriculture with the issuing of authorizations. Secondly, if the owner of the land starts using it not properly, to raise an additional payment at a rate of that difference on which it is quoted in the market in the new virtue (for instance, an area for building, the price on which sharply grows);or to redeem back compulsorily at the price of sale.