The new Belarusian passport is one of the democratic forces’ most ambitious projects, which has attracted broad popular interest. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Deputy for International Affairs at the United Transitional Cabinet, Valery Kavaleuski, gave an interview to Nasha Niva, answering the most pressing inquiries related to the progress on the document and its readiness.
When will the passport be available?
“I won’t announce the document issuance deadlines. We have previously announced but failed to meet them. There are certain factors beyond our control. We are doing everything we can to advance the project to the stage of passport issuance”.
What is the roadmap for creating the passport?
“We are working on appointing someone responsible for the technical issues. After that, we will form a team, procure equipment, and establish an institution that will be in charge of this. Next, the design will be approved, followed by a census of Belarusians living in different countries, which will allow us to assess the demand for the document”.
Will the passport completely replace the current one?
“We strive for it to be a full-fledged passport confirming the holder’s citizenship. We will establish a consular service to support passport holders. We want it to provide all the opportunities that a regular passport does”.
How to avoid scams by security services or fraudsters?
“Firstly, follow only the official social media of the United Transitional Cabinet and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office. Secondly, be aware that we will not ask Belarusians for personal data. The questionnaire will not ask for your name, surname, date of birth, photo, or address. It will only require information about the country of residence and the needs of the person’s family, as well as the reasons for obtaining the passport”.
Which countries have agreed to support the passport?
“It’s too early to say. However, all the partners we have spoken to agree that this is an important project that addresses the issues Belarusians face after leaving the country”.
Will the passport replace visas or residence permits in the EU?
“No. This document will be a Belarusian passport.
For example, if it is recognized by the German government, it can be used to apply for legal documents from official German institutions. But it will not replace visas, work permits, residence permits, or other legal documents”.
What about verifying passport applicants?
“Of course, there will be verification. We will compile a list of documents required to obtain the passport and establish a system for checking the applicants. We will also prioritize the people who need the passport first”.
Will the passport be available to Belarusians outside the EU?
“Yes. And this is another challenge for us. Issuing passports to Belarusians in Poland or Lithuania is one thing, but issuing passports to Belarusians in Asia or America is another. We will try to reach every Belarusian”.
