Lithuanian Foreign Minister Promises Free National Visas to Belarusians

14.05.2011 11:46
Архив Редакция

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Audronius Azubalis has sent to parliament a bill on free issue of long-term Lithuanian national visas to the Belarusian citizens. The bill has already been approved by the Lithuanian government. According to Audronius Azubalis, parliamentarians have favored the bill.

According to the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, the expansion of humanitarian contacts with Belarus will promote the values of the European democracy in the country, ITAR-TASS.

Once Lithuania joined the Schengen Agreement in 2007, the cost of the Lithuanian Schengen visa for Belarusians has increased in 12 times and amounted to €60. According to Audronius Azubalis, it has virtually paralyzed the humanitarian exchange.

«Lithuania has consistently called for targeted measures against those guilty of election fraud (in Belarus) and the use of force against members of civil society, as well as the openness with regard to ordinary citizens,» said Audronius Azubalis.

Head of Lithuanian Foreign Ministry has expressed concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and noted that support for civil society in Belarus remains a «moral imperative of Lithuanian policy.»

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