Lithuanian Interior Ministry ends cooperation with Belarus' Interior Ministry

VILNIUS – The Lithuanian Interior Ministry said on Friday that it is terminating its cooperation agreement with Belarus' Interior Ministry. 

Signed back in 1993, the agreement provided for cooperation in certain areas under the ministries' responsibility. 

However, its practical implementation has stopped in the wake of "unfair presidential elections" in Belarus in 2020, according to Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite.

"Lithuania sees no possibilities for cooperation with hostile regimes," Bilotaite said in a press release.  

"Belarus, the Kremlin regime's close ally that is continuing its hybrid attack against Lithuania and pushing illegal migrants into our country with the hands of its officials, cannot and will not be Lithuania's partner either in internal affairs or in any other spheres," she said. 

Lithuania has since independence signed a number of bilateral agreements with Belarus on cooperation in the Interior Ministry-controlled areas, the termination of which would require the government's approval, as well as several inter-agency agreements.

Lithuania has also suspended the European Commission-funded cross-border cooperation programs with Belarus and Russia.