A discussion on the situation at the border took place at the Palace of Independence today. This topic can only be considered through the prism of teamwork with Russian specialists.
The Belarusian-Russian cordon step by step became an insurmountable obstacle for some foreigners. The queues of large cargoes, for whom the additional control from the Russian side is not only an unpleasant surprise, but also a waste of precious time, and therefore money, accumulate there.
Security, international obligations and geopolitics - many interests, not only Belarusian or Russian, are intertwined in this issue. The Central European crossroads of transit routes, on the one hand, offer opportunities and, on the other, threaten to spread crime.
In November, the next five-year cycle of the big treaty ends. It's been in operation since 1995. 6 years ago, the basic treaty was largely respected. Yes, there were meat and dairy trade wars, loud detentions of criminals and drug dealers on the inner cordon. But for law-abiding citizens and businesses, the border was transparent. Everything has changed with the EU sanctions and the conflict in Ukraine. At first, contrary to the treaty, Russia put up phytosanitarians on the border. Then it came to green caps - border guards and passport check.
The first people to feel it were ordinary citizens. The ones for whom the treaty was signed for.
The President ordered this absurdity to be eliminated by an upd ated agreement.
According to the experts, the problem for foreigners will not be solved even by the Treaty on common visa or visa-free space with Russia. As long as there is no political will to trust the Belarusian ally, an updated border agreement or just an order to withdraw the green caps of the FSB of Russia, the problems will remain. As well as the paradoxical inequality of border guards for the Union State.
Anatoly Lappo, Chairman of the State Border Committee of Belarus: "Since the treaty was signed, Belarus has been supposed to secure the borders of the Union State on its section, and there is no control at the border between the two countries. We're asking the question, why are there border guards present at our internal border? We have always fulfilled our allied obligations and will continue to do so. And there was never a complaint against us. But we demand to respect us, too".
Formally, Russia attributes inequality at the internal border to great threats. They say we have Syria, Ukraine, refugees from the Caucasus and Asia, and terrorism with mass migration. But, first of all, Belarus conscientiously prevents illegal infiltration from the EU and Ukraine even more effectively than Russia itself. And secondly, judging by the numbers, the work on equal terms is the most reliable "shield of the Fatherland".
In just three years, border guards have jointly opened six major illegal migration channels.
Stanislav Zas, State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus: "The openness of the joint border has both advantages and disadvantages for Belarus. One of the negative aspects is illegal migrants from Russia, who, taking advantage of the transparency of the border, try to enter the territory of Belarus, and here they are apprehended and deported. In addition, the main flow of drug smuggling, apprehended by the Belarusian border guards, is mainly directed to Russia. As a transit country, we are losing our attractiveness because additional control points are being se t up and citizens and goods pass through other countries. It's a minus for us. We also have to be honest with our citizens and our partners. At the same time, comparing the disadvantages with the advantages that we have for our citizens and the country, we, of course, will continue to adhere to the fact that this border will always be free because it is of great convenience for people - both Russians and Belarusians."
