New Opportunities of Small Cross-Border Movement
Small Cross-Border Movement allows people living in the border zone to travel to the appropriate territory of the neighboring country. No visa is required for that, only a special Border Crossing Card.
Many experts believe that Small Cross-Border Movement is the first step on the way to visa-free regime. Small Cross-Border Movement is possible for Belarus in three directions: Latvia, Lithuania, Poland.
What is border zone?
A Border zone is defined in accordance with the rule that is often called “30 plus”: any settlement, a part of which is located within 30 km from the border is considered to be a Border zone. So Hrodna, Brest, Vilnius and other towns and cities are located in the Border zone.
Who is in the target group of Small Cross-Border Movement?
To become a Border zone resident you must live in a Border zone for 1 year (for Latvia and Lithuania) or 3 years (for Poland). Any Border zone resident who can give documented proofs of the necessity to travel to the neighboring country often enough may get a Border Crossing Card. Border Crossing Card is issued for 1 year (maximum 5 years) and costs 20 EUR.
What is Small Cross-Border Movement situation in Belarus now?
In 2010 Belarus signed agreements on the rules of Small Cross-Border Movement with Polish, Latvian and Lithuanian governments. But international agreements with Poland and Lithuania haven’t come into effect even by now. In theory, about 1,8 million Belarusians can benefit from Border zone agreement (Latvia – 80,000; Lithuania – 600,000; Poland – 1,1 million).
Latvia
On the 21th of February of the current year, Small Cross-Border Movement regime came into effect, but only between Belarus and Latvia. Since then more than 6,000 people have used that opportunity. The main reasons for coming into the Border zone of the neighboring country are visiting relatives or participating in cultural events.
Lithuania
It is expected that Lithuania will be the next country to adopt Small Cross-Border Movement regime with Belarus. The Lithuanian part has already signed all necessary documents and expects Belarus to do the same.
Poland
The most unclear situation is with Poland. The Polish government isn’t ready to adopt Small Cross-Border Movement regime with Belarus as long as there are political prisoners and no democratic changes made in the country.
Latest news of Small Cross-Border Movement (in Belarusian)
