Lithuania will close two checkpoints on the border with Belarus

The Lithuanian government has supported the idea of ​​closing two checkpoints on the border with Belarus. This is reported on his website. We are talking about the Raigardas (Privalka) and Lavorishkes (Kotlovka) checkpoints.

According to Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite, this decision was due to “risks associated with the increased activities of Belarusian intelligence and security services against Lithuania and its citizens.”

Among other things, the traffic of pedestrians and cyclists will be limited at the Medininkai (Kamenny Log) and Shalcininkai (Benyakoni) checkpoints. The government will also issue Belarusian and Lithuanian transport companies 50% fewer permits to transport passengers by bus.

In addition, Lithuania will limit the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers at the Kena railway border checkpoint. Previously, passengers on trains traveling through Lithuania to Kaliningrad and from Kaliningrad could get off and board there. Now, during a technical stop, passengers will not be released or allowed onto the train. Exceptions will be “special cases that will be determined by the State Border Service.” The Lithuanian government does not provide a list of “special cases”.

The restrictions will come into force on March 1. Previously, such an initiative was made by the Lithuanian National Security Commission.

The Delfi publication notes that in August 2023, the Šumskas (Loša) and Tverčius (Vidzy) checkpoints were also closed on the border of Lithuania and Belarus. There are now four active border crossings between the countries.

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