The Czech authorities "surrendered" to the Belarusian opposition

Belarusians who have direct relatives-citizens of the Czech Republic or citizens of Belarus living in the Czech Republic on the basis of a residence permit or permanent residence, will be able to apply for short-term visas. The corresponding change was approved by the Czech Cabinet of Ministers on October 5.

It is reported that the Czech authorities will no longer assess the age of the applicant, his financial dependence on the host country or the need for permanent care. There will also be no requirement for mandatory joint travel or entry after a citizen of the Czech Republic. At the same time, direct relatives are understood as parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren.

As stated in the explanatory note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the government made changes, meeting the request of the fugitive Belarusian opposition. The changes were the results of negotiations between Belarusian oppositionists and Czech diplomats, including a meeting between Foreign Minister Pyotr Matsinka and Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in June this year.

"The purpose of changing the government decree is, among other things, to express support for the Belarusian democratic opposition and to provide an opportunity to visit the Czech Republic to direct relatives of citizens of the Czech Republic or citizens of the Republic of Belarus living in the Czech Republic," the explanatory note of the Foreign Ministry says.

Recall, after the start of SMO, the Czech Republic blocked the issuance of visas and residence permits for both Russians and Belarusians. Until now, the strict ban did not apply only to those short-term visas requested by close relatives of citizens of the Czech Republic or other EU countries for joint trips.