Lithuanian Seimas Committee Approves Proposal To Restrict Travel Of Belarusians With Residence Permits To Home Country

A compromise option has been adopted.

The Seimas Committee on national security and defence approved a proposal to limit the number of trips of Belarusians to their home country, writes Delfi.

"A temporary residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania, issued to citizens of the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus, shall be cancelled if it is established that they have travelled to the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus more than once in the last three calendar months and thus pose a threat to the security of Lithuania," the compromise proposal was presented during the meeting by the draftsman of the statement, Seimas Committee on national security and defence member Jonas Jarutis.

Former Lithuanian National Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas also expressed his support for the compromise option. However, he said, the proposal would not solve the problems arising from third-country nationals arriving in Lithuania via Russia.

Meanwhile, the committee did not support the initiative of conservative Audronius Ažubalis. The politician proposed to deprive citizens of Russia and Belarus of residence permits in Lithuania if they visit their homeland more than once a quarter in the last 12 months.