VITEBSK, 7 February (BelTA) – The Belarusian and Russian internal affairs ministries intend to compile a common list of citizens, who are not allowed to travel abroad, by 1 March, BelTA learned from Aleksei Begun, Head of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Belarusian Internal Affairs Ministry.
A session of the Belarusian-Russian interagency working group on migration affairs took place in Vitebsk on 7 February. The sides discussed migration-related problems. The partners intend to finish compiling the common list of travel-banned citizens by 1 March. “The sides also agreed to work out a common agreement, which will regulate the exchange of migration-related information about our own citizens,” Aleksei Begun said.
The sides discussed preparations of migration services for the 2021 ice hockey world championship in Minsk and European football championship games in St Petersburg in 2020. “We may sign a so-called sport agreement later on. It will allow third-country citizens to travel in transit via Russia and Belarus to participate in international events,” Deputy Head of the Central Office for Migration Affairs of the Russian Internal Affairs Ministry Dmitry Demidenko added.
In his words, a draft concept of the migration policy of the Union State of Belarus and Russia is nearly ready. “It is likely to begin a new stage in our cooperation in migration affairs. I hope the document will be approved by the presidents soon. The concept's implementation will require additional organizational, practical, and technical measures. The relevant plan has been prepared by the ministries of internal affairs of Russia and Belarus,” Dmitry Demidenko said.
The agreement will allow foreign citizens, which are entitled to the same travel regulations in Belarus and Russia, to cross the internal border of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. At least foreigners will be able to travel by rail and by road.
During the session in Vitebsk the sides signed the minutes of the session of the interstate interagency working group in charge of working out recommendations on pursuing a coordinated migration policy. The document was signed by Belarusian Deputy Internal Affairs Minister Aleksandr Barsukov and Russian First Deputy Internal Affairs Minister Aleksandr Gorovoi.
