Saeima deputies approved in the second reading the amendments to the National Security Law prepared by the Ministry of Economy, which provide for new restrictions for individuals associated with Russia and Belarus. According to the bill, such individuals will not be able to acquire a significant stake or obtain decisive influence in organizations that are part of critical infrastructure category D. The restrictions also apply to ultimate beneficiaries and individuals exerting indirect influence on the activities of such organizations. This concerns enterprises and organizations that provide the population with vital services in emergency situations or wartime. These include, in particular, companies related to the production and supply of food, heating, the circulation of pharmaceuticals, and other services necessary for the functioning of the state. Unlike other categories of critical infrastructure, category D unites not specific facilities, but organizations capable of ensuring the continuous provision of critically important services. That is why the criteria for their definition differ from categories A, B, and C. For ordinary residents, the changes will not affect the receipt of services. The amendments concern the ownership structure and control over enterprises, not the manner of their operation. The bill stipulates that a significant stake will be considered to be an ultimate beneficiary's participation of at least 10% of the company's share capital or voting shares. Monitoring compliance with the new requirements will be carried out by the relevant ministry when determining organizations related to critical infrastructure category D, as well as when checking enterprises already included in this list. If it turns out that an organization does not meet the new requirements, changes to the list of critical infrastructure entities will be made in the manner established by the Cabinet of Ministers. The amendments also contain transitional provisions. The Ministry of Defense, together with the sectoral ministries, will conduct an audit of companies already classified as category D to determine whether individuals associated with Russia or Belarus have significant participation or decisive influence in them. Based on the audit results, proposals may be prepared for the exclusion of such organizations from the list of critical infrastructure entities. In addition, the scope of commercial companies, societies, and foundations that are significant for national security will be clarified. This will include organizations that ensure the functioning of critical information technology infrastructure or provide IT solutions for processing related data. The decision to include them will be made by the Cabinet of Ministers based on the conclusions of the security authorities. Another change concerns the procedure for considering such issues by the government. The law will no longer provide for the automatic issuance of permits in cases where the Cabinet of Ministers has not managed to make a decision within the established timeframe. After the second reading, the bill will still require final consideration in the Saeima.
