OSHMYANY DISTRICT, 29 October (BelTA) – What is happening on the border with Lithuania is somewhat inhumane, truck driver Fizuli Nabiyev who is waiting to enter Lithuania at the Kamenny Log border checkpoint told BelTA.
Among the first in line to leave Belarus for Lithuania is long-haul truck driver Fizuli Nabiyev, who is transporting a perishable cargo. “They told us to wait. We’ve been waiting for three days now. They say they will decide something on Wednesday. But one thing I know for sure is that what is happening is somewhat inhumane. They could have at least warned us that they would close the border. I’m just a simple driver, and of course, this is upsetting. It’s the first time I’ve faced such a situation,” he said.
Next to him stands Aleksei from Kaliningrad. “I have no idea what will happen. I honestly don’t know. We’ve been queuing here for six days already, and for three days right at the border. What are they deciding over there? When I was entering, a Lithuanian border guard told me: ‘On Wednesday’ [it will be decided]. But which Wednesday, I don’t know,” he noted.
Aleksei added that in case of an indefinite border closure the prospects are not encouraging. “I will have to turn back, try to go to another border checkpoint somewhere. But that takes time. And what will happen to my perishable cargo? It’s unclear what will happen, what will be left of it,” the man said, adding that this is costing every single driver money, of course.
Following a meeting of the National Security Commission on 27 October, Lithuania announced that it would close its border with Belarus indefinitely. It was noted that the restrictions would not apply to diplomats and diplomatic bags. Furthermore, citizens of Lithuania and EU countries would be permitted to enter from Belarus. The border closure with Belarus would also not affect travelers transiting to and from Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast. All other traffic will be halted. The final decision on the indefinite closure of the border with Belarus is expected to be made today, on 29 October, during a meeting of the Lithuanian government.
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