Baku, May 22, AZERTAC

Latvia and Belarus have inked a protocol on the amendments to the agreement between on facilitation of local border traffic by border residents.

The document was signed by Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics and Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei, who is leading the Belarus delegation at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga.

During the meeting, the Ministers discussed current Latvia-Belarus and the EU-Belarus relations.

They hailed the bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Belarus, particularly in economy, cross-border contacts, border control and management, environmental protection, education and science, culture. Mr Rinkevics commended the “agreement of intent” signed on 21 May at the Eastern Partnership Business Forum between the Belarusian Oil Company (Belarusneft) and SIA Woodison on the purchase of the liquid cargo terminal at the Freeport of Riga and expressed hope that this will strengthen further cooperation between Latvia and Belarus in the transport and transit sector.

Amendments to the agreement between Latvia and Belarus on facilitation of cross border traffic for border residents mean that such residents will not need to register with local authorities before reception of a local border traffic permit at a designated consular post; travel documents will not be stamped upon crossing the border, and there is no longer a requirement for visitors to register when staying in the border area of the other country. The amendments to the local border traffic agreement will significantly facilitate travel and visits of Latvian and Belarusian residents living near the borders to the adjacent border area of the neighbouring country.