MINSK, 11 April (BelTA) - Belarus plans to facilitate visa procedures for trips to Montenegro and cancel visas with Saint Kitts and Nevis. The House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus are getting ready the draft bills on the ratification of intergovernmental agreements with the abovementioned states, BelTA has learned.
The agreement between the governments of Belarus and Montenegro on mutual trips of citizens was signed in 2009. Plans are in place to introduce amendments to the document and exclude from it a requirement for documents confirming the purpose of the trip (a tourist voucher, an invitation, a health certificate). “The move will significantly simplify mutual trips of citizens and will contribute to the development and strengthening of contacts in the political, economic, scientific, cultural and other areas,” the House of Representatives said.
As for the agreement on the abolition of visas with Saint Kitts and Nevis, a small state in the Caribbean, Oleg Levshunov, the Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee on Labor and Social Affairs of the House of Representatives, said: “Holders of national, diplomatic and service passports will be able to enter, stay, leave or transit through the territory of the other state visa-free for a period not exceeding 30 days, but not for more than 90 days within a calendar year. A visa will be needed for a stay exceeding 30 days,” he said.
The agreement will contribute to the development and strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, scientific and cultural sectors. “The ongoing development of relations with Saint Kitts and Nevis serves as an element in promoting the interests of Belarus and Belarusian exporters to the distant states in general and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of the Caribbean Basin in particular,” Oleg Levshunov said. He added that in January 2016 the country received an observer status in the Association of Caribbean States.
Belarus established diplomatic relations with Saint Kitts and Nevis on 4 June 2016.
