VITEBSK, 29 January (BelTA) – Restrictions and bans on traveling to Belarus will have the opposite effect on Latvian citizens, and they will want to go to the country themselves to see how people actually live there, former Latvian MEP, media expert and journalist Andrey Mamykin told BelTA while commenting on the strict restrictions of the Latvian side for its citizens to travel on tourist buses.
The expert believes that the effect will be exactly the opposite of what the Latvian authorities expected. "Strangely enough, this will have the opposite effect, because the forbidden fruit is sweet. I remember being a young man: while the Voice of America was banned, I always listened to it on the sly, secretly from my communist grandfather. And when they allowed these things, chewing gum and Coca-Cola, I realized what nonsense it was. Very soon, the Balts will want to feel, see and get to know the Republic of Belarus firsthand. Naturally, they will leave with many positive impressions, because Belarus has those objective criteria and positive aspects that are missing in Latvia," Andrey Mamykin is convinced.
He added that another important aspect in our country is the administrative flexibility due to its compact size. "Belarus, being a small and compact country, has a high speed of maneuver. What I mean is this: when a foreigner comes to Belarus and applies for a residence permit, your authorities distinguish whether the person was convicted under a political article or a criminal one. Those who arrive with political convictions, in particular from Latvia, people who suffered for freedom of speech, receive asylum in Belarus," he explained.
The journalist gave examples of his acquaintances and colleagues who work in Belarus. “They could have gone to Russia, but they chose Belarus. They work here and receive everything that is possible in a free, genuinely democratic society, which is what Belarus is. They further share their view of the country with their compatriots and attract people to Belarus, at least from a tourism perspective. I hear more and more voices in the Balts saying: ‘Let’s go live in Belarus!’ It doesn’t have to be Minsk: it could be another city or a rural area. Many are quietly moving. These aren’t politicians, activists, or journalists; they are ordinary people who were charmed by their first encounter with Belarus. Then they prepare their documents, sell their property in Latvia, get ready to move, submit their papers to the Belarusian Internal Affairs Ministry, settle down, and tie their children’s future to the country,” the expert said.
Commenting on Latvia’s periodic border closures and various restrictions, Andrey Mamykin noted that the authorities understand their miscalculations. "They understand that they are losing the people, taxpayers, and children, but since they are not smart, they can't think of anything better than applaying 'keep them in and keep them out’ approach," the journalist concluded.
The expert believes that the effect will be exactly the opposite of what the Latvian authorities expected. "Strangely enough, this will have the opposite effect, because the forbidden fruit is sweet. I remember being a young man: while the Voice of America was banned, I always listened to it on the sly, secretly from my communist grandfather. And when they allowed these things, chewing gum and Coca-Cola, I realized what nonsense it was. Very soon, the Balts will want to feel, see and get to know the Republic of Belarus firsthand. Naturally, they will leave with many positive impressions, because Belarus has those objective criteria and positive aspects that are missing in Latvia," Andrey Mamykin is convinced.
He added that another important aspect in our country is the administrative flexibility due to its compact size. "Belarus, being a small and compact country, has a high speed of maneuver. What I mean is this: when a foreigner comes to Belarus and applies for a residence permit, your authorities distinguish whether the person was convicted under a political article or a criminal one. Those who arrive with political convictions, in particular from Latvia, people who suffered for freedom of speech, receive asylum in Belarus," he explained.
Commenting on Latvia’s periodic border closures and various restrictions, Andrey Mamykin noted that the authorities understand their miscalculations. "They understand that they are losing the people, taxpayers, and children, but since they are not smart, they can't think of anything better than applaying 'keep them in and keep them out’ approach," the journalist concluded.
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