{"id":163051,"date":"2025-11-05T14:04:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T11:04:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/163051\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"transition-cabinet-sounds-alarm-over-restricted-travel-opportunities-to-eu","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/163051\/","title":{"rendered":"Transition cabinet sounds alarm over restricted travel opportunities to EU"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Transition cabinet's Facebook page)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

November 5, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> The opposition transition cabinet supported Lithuania\u2019s decision to close the border with Belarus amid an influx of cigarette-smuggling balloons, yet stressed the need to preserve and expand opportunities for Belarusians to travel to the European Union.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka and his officials continue hybrid aggression against neighboring states, disrupting people-to-people contacts, said a statement issued in connection with the recent border closure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka and his special services bear full responsibility for tensions at Belarus’ border with EU countries, the cabinet stressed, calling for increased economic pressure on Minsk to compel a change in its repressive domestic policies and aggressive foreign stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On October 29, the Lithuanian government ruled to keep the shared border with Belarus closed until November 30 following an influx of cigarette-smuggling balloons. The closure may be extended, Vilnius warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Border crossings in Medininkai and \u0160al\u010dininkai were the only two checkpoints handling all cross-border traffic between Lithuania and Belarus after Vilnius closed \u0160umskas and Tvere\u010dius crossings in 2023 and Lavori\u0161k\u0117s and Raigardas in 2024, citing national security and smuggling among the reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the border closure by Lithuania, Belarusians wishing to enter the EU are now limited to two options \u2014 Brest in the Polish direction and Hryharo\u016d\u0161\u010dyna, located on the border with Latvia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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