Belarus, Poland sign trans-border travel agreement

Belarus foreign minister Sergei Martynov and Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski on February 12 in Warsaw signed the agreement on trans-border travel. The agreement allows citizens of trans-border areas to cross the state border without a visa with the purpose of cultural, public or family contacts as well as for economic purposes but not for work. According to Sergei Martynov, this agreement will be ratified approximately by the end of April.  



The agreement applies to the 30-km zome deep into Poland and Belarus, covering 89 administrative units (including Brest and Hrodna) with over one million of population as well as 93 Polish territorial units, including cities like Biala Podliaska, Awgustow, Gainowka, Belsk Podliaski, Sokolka and Semiatyczy.



Eligible citizens will be given special permits instead of visas. They will be valid first for 2 to 5 years. The Belarusian citizens will have to apply for those permits to the Polish consulates in Brest and Hrodna. Eligible are those who reside within this area for at least 3 years and had a documentary proof.



This permit will allow holders to cross the border multiple times and remain within the 30-km zone of the neigboring country for not more than 90 days within 6 months. The permit costs 20 euros. Disabled persons, pensioners and minors can obtain this permit free of charge. However, all the participants of this agreement will have to buy a medical insurance policy for at least 14 days.