The Lithuanian Cabinet made a decision on Wednesday to close the border with Belarus until November 30 due to incidents involving smuggled weather balloons. According to a report by Delfi,
the Lithuanian government has decided to close the last two border crossing points: "Medininkai" and "Shalchininkai", with the latter ceasing operations entirely.
The crossing point "Medininkai" will operate under restrictions, with exceptions only for certain categories of people allowed to cross the border at this location.
Exceptions will apply to diplomats and those transporting diplomatic mail, as well as individuals transiting to or from Kaliningrad. Lithuanian citizens, EU nationals, and foreigners with temporary residence permits in Lithuania and humanitarian visas will be able to return via the "Medininkai" crossing. Additionally, in exceptional cases, others may cross the border with the assistance of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The restrictions on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border will remain in effect until midnight on November 30.
The Minister of the Interior of Lithuania, Vladislav Kondratovich, mentioned that the border closure could be extended if necessary.
"This measure will be in effect until 24:00 on November 30 and may be extended after assessing the situation and trends... concerning the transport of smuggled cigarettes on weather balloons and considering other related factors," the minister stated during the Cabinet meeting.
It was noted that the decree also includes an exception allowing EU, NATO, Andorran, Monegasque, San Marino citizens, and representatives of the Holy See and their families, as well as technical staff of diplomatic missions from these countries in Belarus who hold Belarusian citizenship, to cross the "Medininkai" checkpoint.
On Monday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene stated that the country plans to close the border with Belarus in response to repeated violations of Lithuanian airspace by balloons carrying smuggled goods.
Ruginiene's statement followed last week's four closures of Lithuanian airports due to the launch of weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes. This led to the cancellation of over 140 flights, affecting more than 20,000 passengers.