Belarus-EU visa agreement to come into force 2 months after signing

Dirk Schuebel / Photo from his Facebook account​
Dirk Schuebel / Photo from his Facebook account​

The agreements between Belarus and the European Union on visa facilitation and readmission will come into force two months after the conclusion, the head of the EU Delegation to Belarus, Dirk Schuebel, said in a broadcast on Belarusian state TV channel ONT.

On September 20, Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatol Hlaz said that Alyaksandr Lukashenka had decided to sign the above-mentioned agreements. Under the deal, a Schengen visa for Belarusians will cost €35 instead of the current €60.

Commenting on the news, Mr Schubel stressed that the EU requires the approval of all 28 member-states. "We'll also need to get the consent of the European Parliament after signing the agreement. But I am optimistic," stated the diplomat.