Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

Lukashenko urges visa agreement with Russia ahead of 2019 European Games

BelarusDigest

Lukashenko urges visa agreement with Russia ahead of 2019 European Games
Belarus needs to agree with Russia on mutual recognition of visas, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko believes.

This can be a great step considering that Belarus will host 2nd European Games in 2019.

On 7 September Alexander Lukashenko took part at the extended session of the NOC Executive Committee to discuss the 2019 European Games.

“We have experience in visa liberalization – the 2014 IIHF World Hockey Championship. Let’s take action in this direction,” the head of state said.

He added that Belarus should agree with Russia on the mutual recognition of visas and other related issues.

The president also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to play an active role in this process.

“To solve all issues related to visas, border crossing, invitations. We have a big army of diplomats to assist with it,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed.

At present foreign tourists can not enter Russia with a Belarusian visa and vice versa.

In February 2017 Belarus introduced 5 visa-free days for citizens of 80 states. The rule, however, does not apply to tourists arriving from Russia.