The FSB explained the purpose and objectives of the establishment of the border zone on the Russian-Belarusian border.
“The establishment of the border zone is performed in order to create the necessary conditions for reliable protection of the state border of the Russian Federation, as provided for in article 16 of the law of the Russian Federation of 1 April 1993 “On state border of the Russian Federation”, and events for crime prevention, the fight against which is within the competence of border authorities”, – said in an official statement TSOs FSB of Russia.
It emphasizes that “this measure is aimed at solving problems to detect and prevent illegal transit migration, drugs trafficking and illegal cross-border movement of commodity-material values.”
“The establishment of the border zone does not provide for the implementation of border control of persons, vehicles, cargoes, goods and animals, establishment and operation of checkpoints (crossings) across the state border of the Russian Federation”, – said the DSP FSB.
The report notes that signed the Director of the FSB orders on the establishment of the border zone on the Russian-Belarusian state border, of 29 December, on the border zone on the territory of Smolensk, Pskov and Bryansk regions “do not contradict the norms of international treaties of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus and do not impose restrictions on the freedom of crossing the state border of the Russian Federation by citizens of both countries”.
In message TSOs FSB of Russia stresses that “the order of stay in the border area citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus and the production of works defined by the rules of the border regime established by the order of FSB of Russia from October 15, 2012 and is in respect of foreign citizens and citizens of the Russian Federation”.
On 3 February President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during a press conference, criticized the Russian decision on the establishment of the border zone and promised “an adequate response”.
