April 8, Pozirk. Lithuanian MPs on April 8 gave a preliminary approval to additional restrictions for Belarusian nationals despite objections from Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, LRT reported.
Not every Belarusian who comes to Lithuania wants to harm it, the prime minister argued before the Seimas debate on sanctions extension for Belarusians and Russians. While concerns over national security are legitimate, we cannot treat everyone as a spy, he said.
Lithuania’s Department of State Security has been allocated more funds to catch spies, and it would be unwise to treat the entire nation as such, he added.
The politician supported the government’s proposal to extend the current restrictions until May 2026 without modifying them. Belarusian expats work and invest in Lithuania, Paluckas said, noting that Poland does not apply restrictions to Belarusians.
The bill, as it stands, provides for the revocation of residence permits from Belarusians over frequent trips to Belarus, a measure backed by the Seimas committee on national security and defense.
The proposal was announced last month by MP Laurynas Kasčiūnas, leader of Lithuania’s Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats. The politician argued that Belarusian holders of Lithuanian residence permits who visit their home country at least once every three months without a serious reason should have their resident permit revoked. Moreover, Lithuania would not issue residence permits to Belarusians who do not have a valid visa.
The date of the final vote has not been announced.
Two years ago, the Seimas passed a sanctions bill that suspended the acceptance of applications for national and Schengen visas from Belarusians and Russians without prior vetting by the foreign ministry.
Also read: Seimas committee backs additional restrictions for Belarusians
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