The operation of the Lavoriškės and Raigardas border crossing points will be terminated from 1 March
Lithuanian Government has approved the proposal of the National Security Commission to terminate the movement of goods, transport and persons across the Lithuanian-Belarusian border at the Lavoriškės and Raigardas border crossing points. The decision will take effect from 1 March.
"The proposal to close two more border crossing points is timely and necessary. Neighbouring countries have left only one functioning border crossing point, while Lithuania has four so far. As a result, the flow of goods, transport and people through Lithuanian-Belarusian border crossing points increased by 50 percent. Significantresources are needed to control the flows, prevent smuggling, ensure international sanctions, and reduce traffic safety risks. This decision was also determined by the risks linked with the increased activities of the Belarusian intelligence and security services against Lithuania and our citizens," said Minister of the Interior Agnė Bilotaitė.
It was also decided to stop the passage of pedestrians and cyclists through the Medininkai and Šalčinkai border crossing points, to ban the boarding and disembarking of passengers at the Kena and Kybartai railway border crossing points, except for exceptional cases, which will be decided by the State Border Guard Service. It was decided to limit the number of permits issued to Belarusian and Lithuanian bus carriers for regular international passengers to 50 percent.
On 18 August 2023, two of the six border crossing points on the Lithuanian border with Belarus - Šumskas and Tverečius - were closed. Following the closure of the Lavoriškės and Raigardas border crossing points, two border crossing points of Šalčininkai and Medininkai will remain operational with limited scope.