MINSK, 15 September (BelTA) - The Belarusian side is prepared to resume operations at any border checkpoint if neighboring countries make such a decision, Chairman of the State Customs Committee Vladimir Orlovsky told the media following a meeting with the head of state in Minsk on 15 September, BelTA learned.
The Polish side closed border checkpoints before but this time it fully closed its border with Belarus, Vladimir Orlovsky noted. "If the closure is temporary, it will not significantly impact the overall flow of goods," Vladimir Orlovsky stated. "Ordinary people will suffer, those who did not manage to travel for vacation, business, or family matters.”
He assured that the Belarusian side is prepared to resume operations at any checkpoint if neighboring countries make such a decision. "If our neighbors show goodwill, we are ready. We have the personnel, and everything remains in place. Whichever checkpoint is opened, we are prepared to resume work literally within hours and carry out vehicle clearance and control. We hope that the checkpoints will be reopened. Things shouldn’t be otherwise between neighbors," Vladimir Orlovsky emphasized.
At the same time, the chairman of the State Customs Committee noted that coordinated work with the neighboring side has not yet been established, although Belarus is prepared to resume dialogue.
“For several years now, we have had virtually no contact with the customs services of Poland, Lithuania, or Latvia. The only remaining interactions occur directly at the border checkpoints and these are solely related to technical matters. We see how the neighboring side operates, and we act accordingly, responding to their actions,” Vladimir Orlovsky emphasized. “However, we have not refused dialogue and are prepared for it at any time, in any format. Unfortunately, the neighboring side has so far declined such dialogue.”
The Polish side closed border checkpoints before but this time it fully closed its border with Belarus, Vladimir Orlovsky noted. "If the closure is temporary, it will not significantly impact the overall flow of goods," Vladimir Orlovsky stated. "Ordinary people will suffer, those who did not manage to travel for vacation, business, or family matters.”
He assured that the Belarusian side is prepared to resume operations at any checkpoint if neighboring countries make such a decision. "If our neighbors show goodwill, we are ready. We have the personnel, and everything remains in place. Whichever checkpoint is opened, we are prepared to resume work literally within hours and carry out vehicle clearance and control. We hope that the checkpoints will be reopened. Things shouldn’t be otherwise between neighbors," Vladimir Orlovsky emphasized.
At the same time, the chairman of the State Customs Committee noted that coordinated work with the neighboring side has not yet been established, although Belarus is prepared to resume dialogue.
“For several years now, we have had virtually no contact with the customs services of Poland, Lithuania, or Latvia. The only remaining interactions occur directly at the border checkpoints and these are solely related to technical matters. We see how the neighboring side operates, and we act accordingly, responding to their actions,” Vladimir Orlovsky emphasized. “However, we have not refused dialogue and are prepared for it at any time, in any format. Unfortunately, the neighboring side has so far declined such dialogue.”
Follow us on:
