Belarus, Austria reach deal on rehabilitation for children

Belarus and Austria have signed an inter-governmental agreement on the rehabilitation of underage Belarus nationals in the Austrian Republic. The press office of the Belarus' foreign ministry said that "the agreement... includes necessary guarantees from the Austrian side to create proper conditions for the stay and return of underage Belarus citizens back home, and sets out a basis for the further development of humanitarian programs".

Belarus suspended rehab programs for children after 16-year-old Tatsiana Kazyro refused to return home from the United States in August 2008. The girl applied for a visa extension but changed her mind and returned back to Belarus in November 2008.

Under a Belarus president's edict, Belarus chidlren can go for rehabilitation only to the countries with which Belarus has the corresponding bilateral agreements. The list of the countries includes: Italy, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Lichtenstein and Spain.