Events

MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – The duration of visa-free stay in Belarus for citizens of 80 countries may be extended to 30 days, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said in an interview with the Financial Times, BelTA has learned.

The minister recalled that in 2017 a five-day visa-free travel program was launched in Belarus for citizens of 80 countries, including the EU member states.

“We did this unilaterally, although we are now discussing two agreements with the EU: on readmission an on visa facilitation. Our initiative is meant to facilitate Belarus-EU business contacts and promote the development of tourism. This is not the limit, however: we intend to extend the duration of visa-free stay in Belarus to 10 or even 30 days. But we will be doing it gradually, step by step,” Vladimir Makei remarked.

He added that by the year-end the situation in this field will be analyzed and specific suggestions on the extension of visa-free program will be submitted for consideration to the head of state.