20 February, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The Consulate of the Republic of Latvia in Vitebsk will start issuing the first local border traffic permits next week, the consulate informed BELTA. In accordance with the agreement between the governments of Belarus and Latvia on the simplified procedure for mutual travel of residents of border territories dated 23 August 2010, consular institutions began accepting documents for permit issuance on 1 February 2012. The review of documents takes 20 working days from the date of submission. The first applicants for local border traffic permits applied to the consulate on 6 February, so they will receive a response, in accordance with the agreement, no later than 2 March. So far, not many people eligible for small border traffic have submitted documents to the consulate. Most likely, the severe frosts played a role, but with the approach of the summer season, the consulate expects an increase in applications. The lists of residents of the border territories of the Vitebsk region who wish to take advantage of the local border traffic opportunity are kept at the Latvian Consulate in Vitebsk. The lists are compiled by local rural, settlement and city executive committees based on citizens' applications. From the Belarusian side, about 200 people are included in these lists, and from the Latvian side - approximately 4,000. The Latvian list is larger because such large cities as Daugavpils and Krāslava are included in the territory whose residents can use the right of simplified border crossing. These lists are not final. Citizens can submit applications as needed, and the lists will be updated every three months. The next list will be compiled by 1 April, and the consulate will begin accepting applications for permits based on the updated lists from 1 May. The grounds for issuing a permit may include visiting relatives, organising or participating in cultural, educational, scientific and sports events held by the authorities and institutions of Belarus and Latvia, owning real estate, visiting relatives' burial sites, receiving medical care, participating in events related to local traditions and religious ceremonies, and regular business contacts.