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Lithuania reopens border checkpoints with Belarus

VORONOVO DISTRICT, 20 November (BelTA) – Lithuania has resumed operations at border checkpoints with Belarus, BelTA has learned.

The first vehicles have already crossed the border at the Benyakoni border checkpoint (Šalčininkai on the Lithuanian side).

Yuri, a driver for an Uzbek company who was among the first to cross the border, is transporting fertilizers to Lithuania. In an ironic response to a question about how long he had been waiting, the man said: “No big deal. Just 47 days.”

Yuri learned about Lithuania resuming checkpoint operations from his company’s management. “First, we refueled, got ready, received a call from the waiting area, and off we go. Now we’re going through clearance procedures,” he said.

“Of course, everyone suffered significant losses. The truck stood idle for 47 days, insurance expired, everything expired,” the truck driver added. “And with these license plates, Poland won’t let us through. Only here or through Latvia. But we didn’t have permits for Latvia. Lithuania accepts without permits.”

Tadeusz, another driver also rushing to complete clearance procedures, arrived at the border on 10 October. Commenting on the situation he and many of his colleagues found themselves in, Tadeusz said sarcastically: “It’s good, if you know what I mean.”

Irena is returning home to her children. “I’m glad they finally opened the border. It’s been hard for everyone living in this actual borderland, both in Lithuania and Belarus. This year, people couldn’t even visit the cemetery [on All Saints’ Day and Saturday of Souls],” she said, adding that about 20 passenger cars are currently waiting to enter Belarus.

The Kamenny Log checkpoint (Medininkai on the Lithuanian side) has also begun operations.

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