Lithuania Considers Travel Restrictions for Military Personnel to Several Countries, Including Tajikistan

Legislators in Lithuania are currently deliberating on proposed legislative amendments that aim to restrict the travel of military personnel to certain countries deemed as potential threats to national security, TuraNews.kz  reports citing ASIA-Plus.

The list of countries specified by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense includes Russia, Belarus, China, and Moldova, as reported by the BNN.com portal. If the proposed document is approved, these restrictions will extend to include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova (Transnistria), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.

The anticipated commencement of these restrictions is set for January and aligns with the Foreign Office’s advice regarding travel risks to these regions. The primary objective is to safeguard individuals with access to classified information from potential security threats.

While the proposed ban is comprehensive, allowances based on personal circumstances may be granted, subject to approval by the government following established procedures. The process for obtaining these exemptions and the criteria for approval will be further outlined.

Approximately 56,000 people, particularly those with access to classified information, are expected to be impacted by these restrictions. The full assessment of the potential implications on the personal and professional lives of affected individuals is yet to be determined.