Analysis: Implementation of Unified Visa Program Highlights Continued Positive Relations between Moscow and Minsk
Category: Transportation
Severity: 2 (Low)
Source: Drum Cussac
02/23/2018 (Belarus) - On Monday, 19 February Belarus and Russia agreed to implement a common unified visa program. President Vladimir Putin ratified a protocol that was initiated in 2004. The move will enable foreigners in possession of a visa for Belarus or Russia to legally enter and travel between the two countries. The last stages of negotiations for the implementation of the unified visa program were initiated in January 2018 as both governments studied the best way to implement the new system. Police forces are already cooperating to monitor those illegally crossing the Belarusian-Russian border. Within the new unified visa program, police cooperation and the sharing of travel data will likely increase.
The program is intended to resolve some of the problems associated with the five-day visa-free program launched by Belarus for foreign nationals. Belarus began implementing the five-day visa-free policy in January 2017 for citizens of 80 countries engaging in short-term travel. The policy applies only to travellers arriving via Minsk international airport. The decision was taken to further integrate within the region and develop positive ties with neighbours and economic partners. However, authorities have noted an issue of foreign citizens and beneficiaries of the five-day visa-free policy entering Russia via Belarus. Belarusian media has noted that approximately 500 such offenders have been detected since February 2017. Under the new unified visa program, only those with a visa issued by consular authorities will be able to travel between the two countries. Those benefitting from the Belarus five-day visa-free program will not be able to enter Russia.
The implementation of the unified visa program highlights the positive ties between Moscow and Minsk. Both countries are part of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. While Belarus has been trying since 2015 to improve its relations with western countries, its economic, political, military and cultural ties with Russia will almost certainly continue to make it a natural ally for Moscow. Belarus is currently investing in policies to attract a higher volume of tourists in a bid to boost its economy. The implementation of a common unified visa program will probably support this policy ahead of major international events that will be hosted in Belarus such as 2019 European Games and the 2021 IIHF World Championship. It is almost certain that Minsk will continue to exploit its friendly relation with Moscow to implement further integration measures that will benefit its national economy.
Belarusian measures meant to improve Minsk's relations with the EU and facilitate travel to the country are likely to occasionally lead to political negotiations between Minsk and Moscow over the control of the Belarus-Russia borders. There is a realistic possibility that Russia will periodically implement border controls along its land border with Belarus. This may occur during periods of heightened security concerns, especially ahead of the FIFA World Cup that will be hosted in Russia between June and July 2018. These measures do not signal a deterioration of relations between the two countries.
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