Minister Raminta Popovienė draws the attention of sports federations and organisations: the recommendations on relations with Russia and Belarus remain unchanged
As international sports championships and competitions are approaching, Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Raminta Popovienė, draws the attention of sports federations and sports organisations to the fact that the recommendations approved by the Minister in February 2023 on relations with Russia and Belarus while these countries continue the war in Ukraine remain unchanged. It is recommended that sports contacts with athletes, sports organisations and their representatives in these countries be severed, and that, when participating in international formats, Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine be actively condemned, with the help or involvement of representatives of like-minded countries.
“I thank the athletes and national sports organisations who have taken a strong stand on values and actively expressed it in international arenas in support of Ukrainian athletes. We are also grateful for the support given to the athletes here in Lithuania, by hosting them in training camps and helping them to continue their careers. Sports federations are independent organisations and it is up to them, their representatives and the athletes to decide how to behave in one situation or another. However, we strongly encourage national federations, sports organisations to follow the Ministry’s recommendations while the war is still going on“, said the Minister.
The Minister recommends that the Lithuanian sports federations and sports organisations should not participate in sports competitions where Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams representing their country or taking part as neutral athletes are invited and participate. Organisations are encouraged not to invite or allow citizens of the aggressor countries representing their country to participate in sports competitions and events held in Lithuania. According to the recommendations, it is proposed that, when organizing sports competitions in Lithuania, participants should be encouraged to voluntarily sign a declaration calling for an end of the war in Ukraine and condemning terrorism and aggression against Ukraine.
Organisations are also encouraged to apply to their international sports federation and to urge not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in World and European Championships, Olympic qualifying competitions, and to prevent their international referees from officiating at international sporting competitions.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport also recommends not to send invitations and letters of mediation for the issuance of visas to Russian and Belarusian citizens, and to contact EU partners to request that they do not issue visas or issue only single-entry visas Russian and Belarusian citizens in their countries. In the event of direct approaches from the Russian and Belarusian embassies in Vilnius, it is recommended that they be informed that such correspondence should be channelled only through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It is further recommended that sports federations should not participate in any sports events or competitions organised by Russia or Belarus in any format, and when participating in multilateral formats to actively condemn, with the help or involvement of representatives of like-minded countries, Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and the support provided by the Belarusian regime, and demand to immediately end the military aggression.
Last updated: 24-03-2025
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