Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 25 July (BelTA) – Belarus closely cooperates with the neighboring states on visa matters, Head of the Main Consular Department at the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Igor Fisenko told reporters at the BelTA press center on 25 July as he commented on the extension of the visa waiver for foreign nationals, BelTA has learned.

“We are in close contact with the neighboring states, including Russia,” he said. Over the past three months several meetings were held to discuss these matters. Belarus and Russia continue discussing a draft agreement on mutual recognition of visas. A meeting of an interagency working group on migration was held in Moscow in April.

Igor Fisenko noted that Belarus discusses its visa waiver practices with Russian counterparts. For example, Belarus-Russia consular consultations were held in May. “We informed our partners that we were set to extend the visa waiver program. This matter was raised by Belarus at the meeting of the Council of Heads of Consular Services of the CIS Member States in late June. We are open about it and we share information, including at our own initiative,” he said. Igor Fisenko underlined: “We see that Russia is doing similar things in the Far East. It has also extended visa-free stay for FIFA World Cup Fan ID holders. Thus, Russia is looking for ways to attract more foreign tourists. We are doing the same. Therefore, we share our best practices.”