Kaliningrad visa facilitation discussed

VILNIUS- On June 18, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Usackas,who is taking part in the European Council in Brussels with the delegationheaded by President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus, met with Vice-President of theEuropean Commission responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security JacquesBarrot to discuss the EU visa policy with regard to Belarus and the Kaliningradregion in Russia.

According to a press release from the Lithuanian Ministry of ForeignAffairs, Usackas emphasized that proper EU visa policy in the region of East-Central Europe could play a special role inpromoting regional economic, cultural and political cooperation.

Usackas said that Lithuaniaspoke up for a visa-free or simpler Schengen visa regime with all the countriesin the Baltic Sea region. 

Usackas also said that it was necessary to find flexible solutions, whichwould provide an opportunity for as much of free movement for residents of Russia's Kaliningradregion and, respectively, the citizens of Lithuaniaas possible, and to cut visa cost for the citizens of Belarus.

Barrot and Usackas discussed the agreements that were being concludedregarding the travelling of border residents of Lithuania,Belarus and Russia, andsaid that they would provide a possibility for border residents to cross theborder and enter the border territory of another country without visas, butwith special permits.