Border regime with Belarus was not introduced, at issue are border zones to regulate trips by citizens of third countries – Kremlin

MOSCOW. Feb 3 (Interfax) – #Moscow has pointed it out to #Minsk that no decisions on the introduction of a border regime on the #Russian-#Belarusian border have been made and the Federal Security Service director’s order on the creation of border zones is aimed at regulating trips by citizens of third countries.

“Belarusian President Alexander #Lukashenko [on Friday] made critical statements on the introduction of a border regime between our allied states,” the Russian presidential press service told reporters on Friday.

In this regard, the press service said that “it’s not so: no border regime was introduced.”

“At issue is the creation of border zones in the areas adjacent to the border. This is due to the need to regulate visits to the border areas by citizens of third countries,” the presidential press service said.

“This decision does not have and cannot have any consequences for citizens of the Union State, citizens of Russia and Belarus,” the press service said.

“A relevant order issued by the head of our relevant service was published in advance after thorough verification and with the approval of the Russian Justice Ministry for compliance with all international obligations and treaties,” the press service said.

“We believe it is incorrect and wrong to associate such measures with violations by Russia of international obligations or interstate treaties in any way,” the press service said.

The press service said that Russia “is not a pioneer in the sphere of creation of border zones.” On September 14, 2014, the Belarusian president signed Decree 433, which regulates the establishment of border territories within territorial and administrative entities adjacent to the Russian-Belarusian border,” the Russian presidential press service said.

The signing of such decree and the introduction of border territories we totally fairly linked to the interests of ensuring border safety, and also the organization of a proper level of interaction to curb illegal migration, drug trafficking and smuggling,” the presidential press service said, calling the arguments stated in this document “absolutely right.”

“It’s absolutely the right decision and in this case our border guards have taken absolutely the same path,” the Kremlin press service said.