Seimas denonsavo Lietuvos ir Baltarusijos pasienio gyventojų susitarimą

Lithuania’s parliament, the Seimas, on Tuesday voted unanimously to denounce a non-ratified agreement between Lithuania and Belarus on cross-border travel for residents of border areas, LRT reports.

The agreement, signed in 2011, aimed to allow residents of border regions to cross the state border using special local border traffic permits, enabling stays of up to 90 days within a six-month period in the neighboring country’s border territory. However, the agreement never entered into force because Belarus did not notify Lithuania of the completion of its internal procedures, a requirement for its implementation.

During the discussion, Deputy Foreign Minister Vidmantas Verbickas told the Seimas that Lithuania had ratified the agreement on June 28, 2011, and had informed Belarus through diplomatic channels. The permits, valid for up to five years, would have been issued to permanent residents of border areas for family, economic, trade, cultural, or other important reasons—but would not have granted the right to work in the other country.

All 86 lawmakers present voted in favor of the denouncement, with no abstentions or opposition.

LRT notes that Belarusian citizens are currently subject to national sanctions in Lithuania, including stricter rules for issuing residence permits, visas, and electronic resident status. The law introducing these sanctions was first adopted in spring 2023.