On Thursday, the Lithuanian Seimas decided to ban employees of certain institutions and members of the National Guard – the Riflemen’s Union – who have access to classified information from visiting countries unfriendly to Lithuania, such as Russia and Belarus.
80 members of the Seimas voted in favour of these amendments to the Law on State Secrets and Official Secrets in the third and final reading.
The Minister of Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas indicated that the purpose of the amendments is to
restrict a person with an admission to a state secret from going to countries or territories where their presence may harm Lithuania’s national security.
The law stipulates that the government will decide which countries these individuals are not allowed to be visited due to state security risks.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence explained that the ban should extend to Russia, Belarus, and China – countries which are under travel restrictions for military personnel and civil servants.
The ministry estimates this ban could affect approximately 56 000 people who have the right to work with confidential information.
Those who breach this restriction will lose their right to work with confidential information.
In certain cases, such as the death of a close relative, travel to unfriendly countries will be permitted with a special permit or after reporting intention for travel outside the country.