On 13 June the Visa Section of the British Embassy in Belarus stopped accepting visa applications.

Belarus and the European Union are expected to hold the next round of talks on visa facilitation and readmission agreements in Brussels this fall, a source at the European Commission told BelaPAN on Monday.

Many non-EU nationals wishing to travel to the EU are often faced with cumbersome, lengthy and costly visa procedures. The proposals presented today will seriously shorten and simplify the procedures for those wanting to come to the EU for short stays, and induce more cost savings and less bureaucracy, whilst maintaining the level of security.

Brussels, 17 June. It is not impossible that Belarus will withdraw from talks on visa facilitation and readmission agreements if the European Union refuses to discuss the possibility of visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic passports, a source at the European Commission told BelaPAN.

The European Commission is interested in easier Schengen visa formalities for Belarusian citizens, Joannes De Ceuster, head of unit at the Directorate-General for the European Commission`s Home Affairs, said in reply to an appeal sent by a number of Belarusian civil society organizations, ВelaPAN said.