VILNIUS, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's decision to close its border with Belarus will not affect transit to and from Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
"No decisions concerning Kaliningrad transit were made at today's meeting of the National Security Commission," Kristina Belikova, an advisor to the foreign minister, was cited by the Baltic News Service as saying.
Earlier on Monday, the National Security Commission agreed to maintain the closure of Lithuania's two border checkpoints with Belarus at Medininkai and Salcininkai, while allowing certain exceptions.
According to the State Border Guard Service, exceptions will apply to diplomats and diplomatic mail, Lithuanian and EU citizens, or holders of valid residence permits in Lithuania entering from Belarus, as well as holders of a simplified transit document crossing between Belarus and Kaliningrad.
The Salcininkai and Medininkai checkpoints have been closed since Sunday evening due to weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes entering Lithuanian airspace. The balloon threat prompted the closure of Lithuania's airports three times over the past weekend, disrupting 112 flights and affecting more than 16,500 passengers.
According to local regulation, the decision to close the checkpoints must be renewed every 24 hours. The government is expected to decide on Wednesday whether to extend the suspension for a longer period. Enditem




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