Фото: facebook.com/pasienislt
The Lithuanian government has proposed terminating the agreement with Belarus on travel procedures for residents of border areas, signed in 2010. The cabinet has asked the president to submit the corresponding proposal to the Seimas, LRT reported, citing BNS.
The agreement never entered into force during all 16 years of its existence, as the Belarusian side never notified Lithuania of the completion of its internal ratification procedures. In this regard, Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry considers the document outdated.
“During this period, no notification was received from the Republic of Belarus regarding the completion of internal procedures, therefore the agreement is considered irrelevant,” the ministry stated.
The agreement provided residents of border zones with the right to cross the border using special permits and remain in the neighboring territory for up to 90 days within a six-month period. Lithuania ratified it in 2011. The document allows for unilateral termination. After denunciation by parliament, Belarus will be notified through diplomatic channels.
Against the backdrop of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Lithuania has already terminated a number of agreements with Russia and Belarus.