On November 24, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. The Belarusian side has determined the technical aspects of the small cross-border movement with Latvia. These aspects are defined by the Council of Ministers of Belarus in Resolution No. 1576 of November 22, 2011, as reported to BelTA by the press service of the Belarusian government. In particular, the document defines the procedure for compiling lists of residents of border areas of Belarus and coordinating lists of residents of such territories located on the Latvian side. The lists will be compiled by competent authorities, as defined by the Belarusian-Latvian intergovernmental agreement, based on applications from citizens themselves. In addition, border residents will need to provide a number of documents, including a copy of a valid passport of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus or a travel document. Those who have not yet reached the age of 16 or are incapacitated will be included in the lists based on applications from their legal representatives. After accepting the application, the competent authority will verify information about the citizen's place and duration of residence. It will also clarify whether the person has grounds for multiple visits to the border areas of Latvia. Lists of residents of border areas will first be sent to the Verkhnedvinsk, Miory and Braslav district executive committees, and then to the Vitebsk regional executive committee. This body, in turn, will forward the documents to the Consulate of Latvia in Vitebsk for coordination with the Latvian side. Similar lists in Latvia will also be sent to the Consulate General of Belarus in Daugavpils for coordination with the Belarusian authorities. From the diplomatic mission, they will be sent to the Vitebsk regional executive committee, and then to the aforementioned district executive committees, which will forward their electronic copies for approval to the internal affairs and state security bodies. Law enforcement agencies will have to report on the results of the approval within 20 days. This resolution comes into force from the moment the agreement between the government of Belarus and the government of Latvia on the simplified procedure for mutual travel of residents of border areas of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Latvia of August 23, 2010, takes effect. -0-

BELTA