Belarusians' travelling around the world limited like Africans

Belarusians have a right for visa-free visits in the same number of countries as residents of Malawi and Sierra Leone.

According to the rating created by Henley & Partners company, the situation in Russia is almost same, though it is not so deplorable. In this respect Belarus and Russia are outstripped even by Venezuela, Gonduras and Guatemala, NEWSru.com informs.

Before the summit Russia-EU which was held in Rostov-on-Don, a road map for lifting visa regime for Russian citizens was not even discussed. The resolving of the problem was limited by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev's passing a draft agreement to the EU President Herman van Rompuy and saying that Russia is ready to cancel visas for Europeans. And Europeans were not ready for rapproachment.

Besides, as charter97.org website informed, at the recent Eastern Partnership ministerial summit in Sopot (Poland) facilitation of visa regime was discussed by the EU with Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. That is, with all the Eastern Partnership member states except Belarus.

"The “weather” in Belarus is not very good. The situation is getting worse. The European Commission works on documents in which it would be stated under which conditions facilitation of visa regime with Belarus is possible. There’s no secret that compared with other members of the EaP programme Belarus falls behind in the visa issue. And it is a political matter. Being in such a situation, Belarus shouldn’t expect much enthusiasm. There is the solid foundation for cooperation is democracy: human rights, and the ruler of law. If any of EU partners lacks the three elements, chances for cooperation are getting lower" said Stefan Fuele, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.

Thus, in the next few years Belarusians and Russians won't be offered a visa-free regime in travelling to developed countries.

The Danes are those who feel the most free in this issue -- they can enter 157 countries visa-free. All citizens of G-7 do not feel restrictions, as well as all citizens of the EU states.

Beside Belarus, outcasts of the rating are Afhganistan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, Somalia, China and India.