The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus handed over a protest note to Lithuania due to the closure of the border

Belarus has handed over a protest note to the Charge d'affaires of Lithuania, Erikas Vilkanetsas, in connection with another unilateral closure of the border from the Lithuanian side without prior notice. This was announced on October 27 by the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifying that Vilkanecas was summoned to the building of the department.

"This decision, which affected the rights of not only citizens of Belarus, but also citizens of Lithuania, as well as citizens of the European Union and other states, clearly demonstrates Vilnius' disregard for the fundamental principles of freedom of movement," the BelTA news agency quoted the statement.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry pointed out that freedom of movement is one of the fundamental values of the Schengen area and the entire EU. The agency called the actions of the Lithuanian authorities "anti-national", as ordinary people became hostages of the political situation.

"Belarus, unlike the Lithuanian side, consistently advocates normalization of dialogue and practical cooperation on border control issues, which would meet the interests of all citizens of our countries," they added.

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Earlier in the day, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginene said that Lithuania had decided to close its border with Belarus indefinitely in response to incidents involving balloons allegedly arriving from Belarusian territory. Thus, cargo transport will not be able to cross the border. At the same time, exceptions will be introduced for diplomatic mail and diplomats, as well as citizens of Lithuania and EU countries.

Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov called Lithuania's decision to close the border a provocation to justify anti-Belarusian approaches and the expansion of sanctions. He added that the Lithuanian government is trying to scare its own citizens and create panic because of the alleged threat from Belarus. The Russian Embassy in Vilnius advised citizens to refrain from traveling to Lithuania by car through Belarus.

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