Polish Visas Free for Belarusians

December 30, 2010 Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski decided that, as of Jan 1, 2011, the visa fees in the Polish consular offices in Belarus will be lifted for the citizens of Belarusian Republic, Marcin Bosacki, foreign ministry spokesman informed in a press statement yesterday. This way Poland wants to show support and respect for the Belarusian nation, which during Dec19 presidential elections showed strong democratic spirit by protesting against falsifying the results and against persecuting members of the government opposition. Poland also wants to help Belarusian citizens strengthen their European identity though facilitating their contacts with Poles and other citizens of European Union, the statement read. This is the Polish contribution to improve the situation in Belarus, long ostracized by the European Union over the authoritarian government of President Alexander Lukashenko. Earlier Minister Sikorski declared that Poland would double its support to Belarus from 20 to 40 million zlotys. The money is to be spent on helping the repressed, providing young Belarusians with scholarships, supporting mass media, radio and television such as Belsat broadcasting from Poland. We must deepen our engagement with the democrats of Belarus. Source: The Warsaw Voice