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Belarus, Lithuania may sign agreement that exempts residents of border areas from visa requirement for short-distance trips

Belarus and Lithuania may sign an agreement in early 2009 that would exempt citizens resident in border areas from the visa requirement for short-distance trips, said Andrey Papow, spokesman for the foreign ministry.

The agreement may take effect as early as the summer of 2009 if the two countries move promptly to ratify it, he said.

Talks to finalize the agreement are expected to take place by the end of 2008.

Belarusian and Lithuanian diplomats have held two meetings to discuss the draft accord, but there are still some issues that have not been agreed upon, Mr. Papow said.

The agreement would help relieve a certain tension that was caused by an increase in the price of Lithuanian visas following the country’s accession to the Schengen travel zone and Belarus’ move to raise its visa fees accordingly, Mr. Papow said.

The agreement would allow border areas’ residents with a special permit to move freely in areas within 30 to 50 kilometers of the border on both sides, Mr. Papow said. Not all village soviets located there will be covered by the agreement, he noted.

The holders of special permits would be allowed to enter and move within the territorial unit indicated in the permit. //BelaPAN