Lithuania's intermin-designate says no need to close remaining checkpoints with Belarus

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Interior Minister-designate Vladislav Kondratovic has said he sees no need to close the remaining two border checkpoints with Belarus. 

"I believe the border guards are doing their job there, but if there are any issues, analysis and preparation for such problems are necessary," Kondratovic told the public broadcaster LRT last Friday. 

"We'll talk to the commanders and see what the situation is, but I think there's absolutely no need to close them at this moment," he said.  

Only two of Lithuania's six border checkpoints with Belarus are currently open – at Medininkai and Salcininkai.

The minister-designate pointed out that closing these points would be impossible due to international commitments.

"It must be understood that what is left also involves international obligations. In certain corridors, transit is not only to those countries – Belarus or Russia – but also further afield," he said.

Lithuania closed the Sumskas and Tverecius checkpoints on the border with Belarus in August 2023 and the Lavoriskes and Raigardas crossings in March this year.

Additionally, last year it was decided to stop pedestrian and cyclist traffic at the Medininkai and Salcininkai crossings, and prohibit the boarding and disembarking of passengers at the Kena and Kybartai railway border checkpoints, except in exceptional cases.