Lithuania to expel most of Belarusian diplomats from Vilnius in tit-for-tat move

VILNIUS – Lithuania would expel most of diplomatic personnel of the Belarusian Embassy in Vilnius in a tit-for-tat move after Belarus decided to reduce the number of staff at Lithuania's diplomatic representation in Minsk to the minimum, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Lithuania allowed Belarus to leave one consular employee and three administrative technical staff members in the country.

On Tuesday, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said it was reducing the size of the Lithuanian Embassy to the minimum.

“Certain working relations have been maintained until now but they will obviously be limited severely,” Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told reporters on Thursday.

Belarus’ decision to reduce the number of staff at Lithuania's diplomatic representation in Minsk would mostly affect the Belarusians who used to make use of the assistance provided by Lithuania’s consuls in Minsk, he said.

“We understand that and, together with colleagues, … are looking for ways to ensure that assistance. There are possibilities to look for technical ways to help those people who truly need help,” the minister said.

Other embassies in Minsk had already pledged their support to Lithuania in continuing its activities, he added.

The diplomatic staff of the Belarusian Embassy in Lithuania that are being expelled shall leave the country by the midnight of July 12.