Baltic States – CIS, Cooperation, Latvia, Russia

Altogether four articles in the agreement dated December 20, 2010, have been amended to make it easier for the residents of border areas to travel to the neighboring country.

In particular, there will be no more stamping of their personal identification documents and local border traffic permits every time they cross the border.

Rules regarding the continuous stay of the holders of local border traffic permits in the border area of the neighboring country have also been made more lax, and those applying for a local border traffic permit will no longer be required to produce a health insurance policy.

The rules were amended because Latvia and Russia had expressed willingness to facilitate mutual social and economic contacts and were interested in making cross-border trips easier for residents of border areas in both countries.