Gov-t approves agreement on travel with Lithuania

The Russian government has approved the drafted agreement on citizens' movements between Russia and Lithuania. As the Government Information Department reported, a corresponding decree was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. The Russian Foreign Ministry was assigned to hold negotiations with Lithuania and to sign this document on behalf of Russia after reaching an agreement on it.

According to the drafted agreement, for receiving a visa, citizens are to present to an embassy or a consulate an invitation of a company or a private individual from the receiving country. If a person is going to resorts, holiday homes, sanatoriums or other healthcare institutions according to a special permit, a visa is not required. Disabled persons, children and those who are visiting the graves of family members or close relatives, will receive visas for free. In urgent humanitarian situations, a visa will be issued for free within 24 hours.

At the same time, the draft suggests that Russian and Lithuanian authorities have the right to deny issuing a visa and permitting entry to a country without explanation.