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Lukashenko in favor of free movement across Belarus-Russia border

MINSK, 18 November (BelTA) – It is important we ensure free movement across Belarus-Russia border, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Russia’s Smolensk Oblast Governor Vasily Anokhin in Minsk on 18 November, BelTA has learned.

The head of state cited the example of his hometown to illustrate how closely the residents of Belarus and the neighboring Smolensk Oblast communicate with each other. Russians often come for shopping or even to take a dive in Trofimov’s Spring, which was landscaped by his grandfather. "People queue. Where people are from? From Smolensk Oblast. They are even more than Belarusians. I am always happy about this," the president noted. “Orsha, Smolensk were inseparable lands. We have always been friends and cooperated with each other. In sport we played football, team on team, village on village. Therefore, for me, your region is very dear and familiar.”

"For things to be normal, we need to ensure the freedom of movement of people. When they tell me that on the border with Smolensk Oblast people have to pass some checks, or get detained, I feel bad. Well, why are we checking each other? If someone needs to bypass our posts, they will do it. They know all paths," the head of state said.

He stressed that Belarus does not hamper close communication and travel of citizens of the two states. "We do not prevent this. Let people travel wherever they want - to Smolensk Oblast. Conversely, we do not even know who travels to use from Smolensk Oblast. Therefore, we do not need to slow down people in this regard. This is very important," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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