On March 29, the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense (PKNBA) approved the relaxation of restrictions for Russians and Belarusians, more exceptions are foreseen, writes the Lithuanian portal Delfi.lt.

The draft laws were previously approved by the Lithuanian Parliament in the first reading.

On March 29, at the committee, deputies approved the restriction of the rights of Russians and Belarusians to import and export cash from the territory of Lithuania, the import of Ukrainian hryvnias is prohibited.

They also supported the proposal of the Freedom Party faction to allow a wider range of Russian citizens to buy real estate in Lithuania (those who have a temporary or permanent residence permit in Lithuania) and to inherit real estate.

Other Russian citizens and companies owned by them will not be able to purchase real estate.

The members of PKNBA also supported the proposal of Deputy

Jonas Yarutis

to postpone the entry into force of the restriction on issuing temporary residence permits to Belarusians until July 1, 2023.

"It is related to business.

In Lithuania, more than 50% of truck drivers are citizens of Belarus.

Some, more than a thousand of them, are waiting in line for courses that allow them to work in the EU and in Lithuania.

This would be a serious problem and a burden for the Lithuanian transport sector, which is already short of drivers," Jarutis said.

The issue of suspending the acceptance of applications for obtaining Lithuanian citizenship caused a discussion.

Despite the comments, the members of the committee approved the proposal of MP

Laurinas Kaschunas

to leave this restriction in force.

But there will be more exceptions:

  • if a person meets the requirements of the law on naturalization and there is information that he does not pose a threat to national security and public order;

  • if a person has the right to citizenship restoration in accordance with current laws and there is information that he does not pose a threat to national security and public order;

  • if an application for renunciation of Lithuanian citizenship is submitted or a decision on revocation of citizenship is made, if a person has obtained the citizenship of another country.

Liberals proposed not to limit the acceptance of applications for citizenship from Belarusians and Russians, but this proposal was rejected.