Managing Migration for the Benefit of All
Belarus is prepared to introduce biometric passports, IOM says
Belta, 29 July 2008
Belarus is prepared to introduce biometric identifiers in passports in full compliance with international standards. The country has necessary technical means, skilled personnel, the chief of the Mission in Belarus of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Dejan Keserovic, told BelTA.
He remarked, many countries have introduced such passports or have taken a decision to go ahead with these documents. For example, biometric passports have been introduced in the countries of the European Union. Ukraine has taken a decision to apply them by 2010. Russia is moving in this direction, too.
“Today’s seminar in Minsk organised on the initiative of the Interior Ministry of Belarus was aimed at informing the parties concerned of the state of affairs in this area, international legislation, Dejan Keserovic said. Introducing these passports will serve the interests of ordinary citizens who will be able to cross borders visa free and will help counteract organised crime and terrorism.
Dejan Keserovic expressed the confidence that in case Belarus takes a decision in favour of biometric passports, they can be introduced quite quickly, in one or two years. A delay in introducing these passports, on the contrary, might create certain difficulties for Belarusian travelers. First of all, these are visa-related technicalities which can be avoided if a biometric passport is available.
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