National News

Embassy of Lithuania to Belarus streamlines work with Belarusian travel agencies

The number of travel agencies accredited to the embassy of Lithuania to Belarus has been reduced from 56 to 40. However every agency is now entitled to visit the embassy more often (1 visit a week instead of twice a month), the counselor of the embassy Liuda Kleimyonova told BelTA.

According to her, the number of travel agencies accredited to the embassy was discussed at a recent meeting organized by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lithuanian Republic to the Republic of Belarus Edminas Bagdonas. Attending the meeting were representatives of travel agencies and also the officials of the tourism department of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and also the republican union of travel agencies.

Following the negotiations the sides agreed on the optimal number of travel agencies accredited to the embassy what will improve the process of visa issuing, Liuda Kleimyonova said. The list of agencies features the companies from Minsk and also from Mogilev, Postavy, Molodechno, Vitebsk and other towns. Special terms have been granted for the state-owned establishment “Tsentrkurort” which organizes recuperation trips in the sanatorium “Belarus” in Druskinikai. The decision did not come easy but considering the fact that these are mainly children, children with parents and disabled children who go to the sanatorium, the embassy has assumed additional obligations,” Liuda Kleimyonova said.

The consular department of the Lithuanian embassy in Belarus issues around 400-500 visas daily. During the summer season the number will be increased to 600 visas.

According to Liuda Kleimyonova, the reconstruction of the consular department which is expected to be over by the end of the summer season will help increase the carrying capacity. “We hope it will help reduce the lines”, she said. She also noted that those Belarusian travelers who plan their trips in advance never have problems with getting Lithuanian visas.