A number of well-known Belarusian NGOs and think tanks have joined forces within a public VISA-FREE coalition. Assisted by partners from EU member states, Belarusians are going to advocate the idea of visa-free travel between Belarus and other European countries.  We will make every effort to assist civic initiatives of Belarus in this ambitious undertaking. Actually, initiating a dialogue with the European colleagues on facilitating people-to-people contacts should be a task for the government of Belarus; however, as the authorities are hesitant to remove the artificial barriers, it is up for the civil society to make its voice heard,“ – says Tomas Tomilinas of „Belarus Watch“ NGO, the Lithuanian partner of the coalition.

The European Commission will open negotiations for the conclusion of an agreement between the EU and Belarus on the facilitation of the issuance of short-stay visas, according to a press release from the EU Delegation to Belarus.

Adoption of a Council Decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations for the conclusion of an agreement between the European Union and Belarus on the facilitation of the issuance of short-stay visas

Estonian MFA has informed that the new order comes into force since March 1. Estonian government decided to free Belarusian citizens from official fees for obtaining  long-term Estonian visas in order to make contacts between the two countries easier, in the beginning of February. However, fees are still to be paid for short-term visas.

The citizens of the CIS countries will be able to apply for a Latvian visa via internet from June 30, 2010. This was stated by the employee of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia Andrew Ryabtsev. The cost of introducing this service amounted to 30 thousand Latvian lats (Br173.78 million, or $57.65 thousand). European Regional Development Fund (ERAF) was involved in the funding of the project, reported IA "REGNUM-Belarus" referring to agency LETA.

Management of the company "Belavia" hopes to complete its half-empty planes with tourists, in connection with which it plans to cut air fares after visa regime simplification between the EU and Belarus. This was reported by Deputy Director General Ihar Charhinets. "The flow of passengers will increase in several times with visa regime simplification," he said.

A number of well-known Belarusian NGOs and think tanks have joined forces within a public VISA-FREE coalition. Assisted by partners from EU member states, Belarusians are going to advocate the idea of visa-free travel between Belarus and other European countries.