The campaign initiated in the European Parliament by Genowefa Grabowska (PL), Justas Vincas Paleckis (LT) and Hannes Swoboda (AU) under the slogan “Say YES to Cheaper Visas for Belarusians” is gaining popularity both within the European Parliament and in Belarus. More than 80 signatures have been already collected in support of the written declaration introduced by the three members of the Parliament. In case more than 391 members of the organization favour the declaration, text will be sent to the EU Council and the Commission.

The Office for a Democratic Belarus actively supports this initiative through collecting letters from Belarusian non-governmental groups, political parties and civil initiatives. ODB members visited Strasbourg during the Parliament’s session on February 18-21 in order to inform as many MEPs as possible about the current problems with Schengen visas experienced by the Belarusian citizens.

Belarus remains the only country of the EU Eastern neighbourhood whose citizens have to pay €60 for a single-entry Schengen visa. This sum amounts to almost one third of the average monthly salary in the country. Lowering visa costs and easing visa-issuing procedures would assist enormously in preventing the isolation of the Belarusian people. It would also help implement the EU's policy of supporting the democratisation process, through facilitating people-to-people contacts  between Belarusians and EU citizens.

The Office members distributed in Strasbourg an appeal with this message and encouraged members of the Parliament to put their signature under the Declaration N12.

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