Opposition leader advocates Schengen visa simplification for Belarusians

February 17, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja discussed simplification of visa procedures for Belarusians with Ylva Johansson, the EU commissioner for home affairs.

The two met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Cichanoŭskaja’s office told BPN.

The Belarusian politician advocated the abolition of the apostille requirement for documents issued in Belarus as well as a certificate of the absence of a criminal record that are currently required for resident permit applications, except for applications on humanitarian grounds.

Other matters under discussion included coordinating consulates issuing Schengen visas to Belarusians, humanitarian visas and long-term visas for up to five years.

Cichanoŭskaja thanked Johansson for her help in developing the “new Belarus’ passport,” a draft of travel and ID document for Belarusians forced to flee abroad and whose documents might soon expire. The format of the “new Belarus’ passport” is now being discussed with the EU countries, the politician’s office said.

Belarusians not linked to Alaksandr Łukašenka’s regime need their freedom to move around and stay in touch with Europe, she stressed. At the same time, it is also important to “isolate the regime and those who earn money for it,” she added.

Cichanoŭskaja also met with Iceland’s Foreign Minister Thórdís Gylfadóttir to discuss Belarusian opposition politicians’ participation in the upcoming Council of Europe’s summit in May.

Earlier, the politician met with experts to discuss sanctions against Łukašenka’s regime, aid to Belarus, political prisoners and mechanisms to prevent Belarus from being dragged into Russia’s war on Ukraine.