Belarus, North Korea to sign visa-free agreement
Belarus and North Korea are set to sign a bilateral agreement eliminating visa requirements for their citizens, with the document already prepared and pending only technical formalities. The announcement was made by Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov during a televised interview.
Consensus
- Belarus and North Korea are preparing to sign a bilateral agreement on the abolition of visa requirements for their citizens.
- The agreement has been finalized and only technical details remain before signing.
- Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov announced the development in a televised interview.
- Ryzhenkov discussed the agreement with his North Korean counterpart, Choi Song-hi, during a meeting while on vacation in North Korea.
- The agreement is expected to be signed in the near future.
- The two ministers discussed broader bilateral relations and agreed on future contacts through their foreign ministries.
- The visa regime between the two countries has existed for decades, limiting travel for tourism and business.
Points of divergence
- The minister described his vacation in North Korea as taking place in a 'good, friendly atmosphere' and praised the country's culture, traditions, and infrastructure development, including increased vehicle numbers and urban improvements. — vedomosti
- The minister recommended visiting not only Pyongyang but also the Kalmak Peninsula resort in the port city of Wonsan. — vedomosti
- Perceptions of the country as 'very colorful, traditional, and interesting' were shared by the minister. — vedomosti
- Negotiations on the visa agreement were actively pursued starting in 2026. — vedomosti
- The agreement will be signed in the immediate future, with no specific date provided. — vesti
- President Alexander Lukashenko visited North Korea in March and met with Kim Jong-un, signing a treaty of friendship and cooperation. — kommerzant
Coverage (4 sources)
- Belarus and North Korea will sign a bilateral agreement on visa cancellation — Интерфакс
- Belarus and North Korea prepare to sign an agreement on visa cancellation — Ведомости
- Belarus and DPRK will sign an agreement on visa cancellation — Вести
- Belarusian Foreign Minister announced cancellation of visits to North Korea — Коммерсантъ
Key entities
- Belarus
- DPR
- MID
- Moscow
- North Korea
- Choi Son-hee
- INTERFAX.RU
- Minsk
- Ryzhenkov
- Pyongyang
- First Informational
- Belarus-1
- Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
- BelTA
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