Second European Games in Belarus

Bikers from Poland intend to learn more about Belarusian traditions during European Games

GRODNO, 19 June (BelTA) - A group of bikers from Poland has set off to Minsk for the 2nd European Games. Today they crossed the Belarusian-Polish border via the Berestovitsa checkpoint, BelTA has learned.

The friends from Warsaw and surroundings areas share the love of motorcycles, sport and travel. They could not miss the opportunity to visit Belarus without visas. “We knew about the European Games. We love sport so we decided to take a trip to Belarus. We will stay here for several days. We will go see sambo competitions. However, I am visiting your country for the first time, so I will be interested to learn more about it, its traditions,” Krzysztof Mamontowicz noted.

Zbigniew Ruzanski is also in Belarus for the first time. He said he expects good impressions only. “I did not read up before the trip. I love to learn everything from first-hand experience. I only know that Minsk is popular with bikers. Well, I will too take a look at the city while riding a bike,” he added.

Another guest, Miroslaw, visited Belarus two years ago. He wanted to refresh the memories, so he invited the friends to go on a journey.

Participants and fans of the games are entitled to priority customs clearance via special corridors designated with the games logo.

“Using such corridor athletes and fans should submit a customs official their passports and motor transport documents. The average time of customs control in respect of a temporarily imported vehicle is literally a few minutes under a simplified procedure,” the head of the Berestovitsa customs post Igor Stepanchuk said. He added that the Berestovitsa border checkpoint is crossed by fans, athletes and workforce.

Journalistic equipment for the coverage of the 2nd European Games, and also various sports equipment regularly undergo customs clearance at the border checkpoint (it takes 10-15 minutes on average).

Volunteers donning 2nd European Games uniform are on standby to help visitors.

“We are ready to help with translation, provide information about the 2nd European Games. Many visitors come here already knowing what to do. Most frequent questions are about the directions and currency exchange booths,” student of Yanka Kupala Grodno State University Yulia Linkevich said. She confessed that volunteering is a great opportunity for her to gain useful experience from communication with different people. 

Infrastructure of border checkpoints has been updated ahead of the 2nd European Games. Thanks to the technical and economic assistance of the Chinese government, the Berestovitsa border checkpoint got a device to detect traces of narcotics and explosives, a new system to inspect luggage. A new x-ray mobile inspection system has been installed at the checkpoint to scan vehicles within 10-15 minutes.
 
More than 500 participants and fans of the 2nd European Games have already crossed the checkpoints of the Grodno Customs.

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