Around 2,000 people used visa-free entry to Belarus ahead of the 2014 World Championship

May 7, Minsk /BELTA/. About 2,000 people have used the visa-free entry to Belarus. This was announced today to journalists by the press secretary of the State Border Committee of Belarus, Alexander Tishchenko, BELTA reports.

"The border has not become a barrier for guests and participants of the championship. Good interaction has been established with the border services of neighboring countries. There are no problems. We have made information regarding the procedure for entry and stay in our country accessible. Our portal is visited from over 60 countries, including South America and Europe. Duty services are also working, so operations are running smoothly," said the representative of the border agency.

Alexander Tishchenko also reminded that 12 teams are arriving today. "We have anticipated all the problems that may arise with their arrival. Therefore, everything should be fine," he stressed.

As reported, since April 25, guests of the 2014 World Championship can enter Belarus with a valid passport and a ticket to any match of the championship or an electronic version of the ticket. This right can be exercised only once. Multiple entries with tickets are not provided.

For officials and participants of the championship, the basis for visa-free entry to Belarus is their inclusion in the lists of the International Ice Hockey Federation's accreditation system. This organization handles accreditation in various areas, including print and television journalists, officials, VIP guests, etc. Anyone with a corresponding accreditation badge has the right to enter Belarus during the specified period without a visa. It is sufficient for them to present their valid passport and accreditation certificate to border service officers. It was previously reported that a list of media accredited for the championship has already been determined. A total of over 260 journalists and 130 photojournalists will work at the World Championship in Minsk. Thus, the total quota of 400 accredited media representatives will be fully utilized.

Furthermore, a decision was previously made to issue free entry visas to all participants of test events held by the International Ice Hockey Federation, as well as observers from national hockey federations, who will arrive in Minsk before the World Championship, including for familiarisation with the accommodation conditions of their teams and the specifics of the championship. According to established practice, representatives of participating national teams arrive in the host country before each championship to study the hotels where the team will be accommodated, familiarise themselves with organisational aspects, etc. All of them are entitled to visa-free entry into the country.

Also exempted from entry customs duties and value added tax are goods that will be imported into the country for the upcoming championship.-0-

News of Belarus (BELTA)