Second European Games in Belarus

MINSK, 25 October (BelTA) – The 2019 Second European Games organizers are considering several options for foreigners to enter the country visa free during the games, Deputy Director of the 2019 Second European Games Directorate Anatoly Kotov said during an online conference hosted by BelTA on 25 October.

“Today, we are considering three basic concepts on how to simplify the visa regime for the duration of the European Games. One of them is directly related to the games. It is one of the conditions stipulated in the contract: a visa-free entry for persons who will take part in the European Games. The access to the country is provided on a special document called accreditation,” he said.

Another option is a visa-free entry to Minsk by a ticket for European Games. “Positive experience was gained during the 2014 IIHF World Championship, with a visa-free entry for those who bought a ticket for the event in advance. The ticket, here, serves as a so-called visa to Belarus for the time of the event. I think some 15-20 days with a valid ticket is enough to attend the competitions and spend some time in the country,” added Anatoly Kotov.

According to him, the discussions are underway to extend the period of the visa-free stay in Belarus up to 10 days. "Yesterday the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that the period can be extended even up to 30 days. Any of these decisions will be enough to make the games easily accessible for tourists. This is either a visa-free entry by a ticket or a visa-free entry for 30 days for citizens of 80 states, which now have the right to spend five days Belarus visa free. Everyone understands that five days is not enough,” Anatoly Kotov said.