Events

MINSK, 4 December (BelTA) – The agreement on visa-free trips between Belarus and Israel will enter into force 90 days after the ratification by the parliaments of the two countries, Israeli Ambassador to Belarus Yosef Shagal told reporters, BelTA has learned.

According to the diplomat, the early elections to the Parliament of Israel should not affect the ratification of the agreement. According to him, the Knesset (Parliament) of Israel dissolves itself next Monday, but Israeli MPs intend to ratify the agreement before that, on Sunday, 7 December. With regard to the Belarusian side, according to the Ambassador, the agreement is now under consideration at the Council of Ministers, and then will go to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus.

Yosef Shagal expressed concern that some people intend to go to Israel without visas already on 19 December. About 30 people have bought tickets and booked hotels in Israel but have not yet applied for visas to the Embassy of Israel in Belarus. The visa regime between Belarus and Israel is still in force, and travelers to Israel will need a visa. The date of the abolition of the visa regime will be announced officially.

On 19 September Belarus and Israel signed an agreement to abolish visa requirements for the holders of national passports.