Welcoming those who come with good intentions

The possibility of visa-free entry enhances Belarus’ attractiveness in the eyes of foreign citizens and simplifies travel arrangements for everyone wishing to visit our country

Since recently, Europeans have been able to visit our country with valid documents. The proposal made by Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies to establish a procedure for temporary visa-free entry, exit and stay in Belarus through all road and railway checkpoints for citizens of additional 35 European countries has been supported by the President and has entered into force. The unprecedented decision has caused a strong reaction from Western politicians. What do ordinary people, who despite numerous obstacles continue to visit our country each year for relaxation, medical treatment, and to see their relatives and friends, think about this unparalleled move? The MT correspondent has discovered this firsthand.

Grigorovshchina international automobile checkpoint, Vitebsk Region             Yegor Yermalitsky

No doubts about the cordiality

Irina Sushina and Olga Kudrina came to the Letsy sanatorium from Lithuania and hope to return here again Yelena Begunova

About 20 Baltic citizens are currently undergoing a rehabilitation course at the Letsy sanatorium near Vitebsk. Aleksei Moiseichenko, the health resort’s director, introduced the holidaymakers — friends Irina Sushina and Olga Kudrina came from the Lithuanian city of Visaginas. They heard the news about the expansion of the list of countries whose residents are granted the right to visa-free visits to Belarus from the journalist. Their initial reaction was enthusiastic and emotional, “Well done, Batka [father]! What a brilliant move! I wonder what the European politicians, who have become enmeshed in their opinions, decisions and prohibitions, will say about him now. People will definitely come to the country… With pleasure! So, right now we are going to call our friends in Germany, Italy, and France and suggest we all meet here in hospitable Belarus next time!”
This is the second time the women have taken a holiday in Vitebsk Region. Exactly a year ago, they were at the nearby sanatorium Zheleznodorozhnik. It was then that they set eyes on the Letsy sanatorium. The women expressed their deep gratitude to the management of the health resort, stating, “Due to political strife and bureaucratic barriers erected on the Lithuanian side of the border, we can never be sure whether we will be allowed to enter Belarus. Therefore, we faced challenges with the advance payment for the sanatorium. In this regard, we are very thankful to the administration of the sanatorium for taking our word and booking rooms for us, for which we paid immediately upon arrival. To be honest, we have already lost a climate of trust in our country…” 
We promised our guests not to fully disclose their data — unfortunately, such popularity is not safe for them right now. Moreover, many of those who spend their holidays in Belarus every year claim that upon returning home, the relevant authorities pay special attention to them.

Trip to Belarus warms the heart

Letsy sanatorium, Vitebsk Region           Yelena Begunova

Irina and Olga shared insights into the ‘democratic’ life in Europe, “Books in Russian as well as Russian TV channels are all prohibited. Any violation is punishable by fines. At work, outside, in the store, one must be cautious about everything they say. God forbid you express an unconventional opinion — you will immediately be accused of anti-state sentiment, with all the consequences that come with it.” 
That is why, in their opinion, it is so important to open the Belarusian borders to let everyone see that the country is not as it is depicted in a parallel reality. Belarus is completely safe and ready to welcome with open arms all those who come here with good intentions.  
Irina and Olga have similar backgrounds. Both were born, raised and educated in Lithuania, and both women have mothers who are Belarusians. Shortly after the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War, driven by their hearts and Komsomol vouchers, their mothers went to help rebuild Vilnius, which had been destroyed by the German Nazis. So they stayed in Lithuania, marrying local men. Could it be that loyalty to Belarus is ingrained at the genetic level?
“Not really,” the guests replied. “It is just that we grew up in the Soviet Union. 

In recent years, we have managed to visit many European countries, yet everywhere you feel a lack of kindness, cordiality, and unity. Therefore, every visit to Belarus warms the heart. The people here are open and sincere, while the environment is comfortable and safe.”

The interlocutors emphasised that Lithuania was doing everything possible to block access to alternative information for locals, having banned Russian radio, Russian television, Russian books and newspapers. But is it possible to prevent a Soviet person from doing anything? Lithuanian citizens install pirated equipment and secretly watch whatever they want on TV.

Thanks for visa-free travel

A frequent guest in our country is the Pavlinka musical ensemble of the Belarusian song from the Latvian city of Liepāja. The ensemble unites people from Belarus who, by the will of fate, once moved to live in Latvia. 
Antonina Konyshevich, who arrived with the ensemble on another tour, spoke of her nostalgia with tears in her eyes, “I have been living in Latvia for more than 50 years. At first I studied there, and then I got mandatory work placement. Later, I brought my elderly parents to Latvia. I had to bury them on Latvian soil, so now I cannot get away from their graves. My friends share similar stories — everyone has their reason to stay away from Belarus. Nevertheless, we strive to return here at the first opportunity and we greatly appreciate the visa-free travel facilitated by the President.”  
Antonina Konyshevich recounted the joy they experienced this time, when despite many difficulties their bus managed to cross the border, “You know, we even receive warnings at the border crossing: Visiting Belarus is life-threatening. They claim we will be recruited and killed. Who would believe that? Who are they trying to scare? We have one request — take care of your Batka, our Batka! God forbid any Belarusian should experience the nostalgia we have felt for many decades.” 
The Pavlinka participants lamented that unfortunately, they could not even bring any gifts from Belarus to Latvia for children and grandchildren as those would be inevitably confiscated at the border due to the ban on importing Belarusian products. However, the guests sincerely hope that common sense should prevail. It is no coincidence that Belarus is step by step demonstrating its readiness for constructive dialogue — ordinary citizens who come to Belarus understand this. Maybe the politicians will finally understand, too? 

Open doors  

The representative office of the Vitebsk Regional Department of the Republican Centre for Health Improvement and Sanatorium-Resort Treatment of the Population has estimated that nearly 14,300 foreigners visited health resorts in Vitebsk Region during the first half of the year, with the majority being Russian nationals. Approximately 600 visitors were from Latvia, about 50 from Lithuania and Estonia, while an increasing number of holidaymakers included citizens from Germany, France, Israel, Austria, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. Currently, the sanatoriums are operating at full capacity and beyond, hosting over 900 foreigners. Thus, over 40 Estonians and Latvians are gaining strength at the Lesnye Ozera (Forest Lakes) sanatorium, about 50 residents of the Baltic States and France are recuperating in the Lepel military sanatorium, and every second guest at the Lesnoye sanatorium is also a foreigner.                                  
Svetlana Avik, Head of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Internal Affairs of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, disclosed that the number of foreign citizens who obtained temporary residence permits in Belarus was also increasing. In the first half of the year, over 70 citizens from European countries — that are now included in the new visa-free countries list — were registered, including residents of Italy, Great Britain, Bulgaria, Spain, France, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark. Twenty-two EU citizens received their temporary residence permits during the same period. The possibility of visa-free entry will undoubtedly boost Belarus’ attractiveness for foreigners and simplify travel arrangements for those wishing to visit our country.

By Yelena Begunova