Statement by MFA of Belarus regarding proposal to Ukraine to organise seasonal crossing for its border population into Belarusian territory to harvest wild plants

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Statement by MFA of Belarus regarding proposal to Ukraine to organise seasonal crossing for its border population into Belarusian territory to harvest wild plants

The Belarusian side is taking measures to organise seasonal simplified crossing into the Republic of Belarus for Ukrainian citizens residing in the border areas, for the purpose of harvesting wild plants on our territory.

​The State Border Committee of Belarus is ready to organise simplified crossing of the State Border via three crossing points: 'Mutvitsa', 'Khinichev' and 'Selishche'.

​This is a matter of purely practical considerations. People who have for many years gathered mushrooms and berries in the 'Olmany Swamps' Republican Reserve in the Stolin District of the Brest Region will have the opportunity to do so during the current season as well.

​A note containing the relevant proposals was handed today to the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Ukraine to the Republic of Belarus, Ivan Novitsky, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.

​We emphasise: this is not a political gesture. It is a rational, pragmatic proposal made in the interests of ordinary people living in the border areas. For them, the forest provides significant support for their households. We understand this and are offering a well-established mechanism that allows them to maintain their traditional way of life without the creation of artificial barriers.

​We await a response from the Ukrainian side.

​We are convinced that, even under the current challenging circumstances, such steps represent normal practice in good-neighbourly relations.

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