MINSK, Nov 1, (Xinhua): The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday that Poland and Lithuania cannot unilaterally decide on reopening border crossings, as it requires bilateral agreement. Ruslan Varankov, spokesperson for the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, said that Belarus will agree to reopen border crossings only when fully prepared in terms of infrastructure, personnel and security.

He criticized the neighbors' inconsistent actions, with deadlines repeatedly shifted and decisions revised, and noted that border resumption must involve professional dialogue between competent services and cannot be regulated by one-sided decisions. The spokesperson referenced Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski's quote about tango needing two partners, saying Belarus has played its part and awaits the neighbors' response.

The issue affects not just Belarusians, Poles and Lithuanians, but also European Union citizens, as these borders mark the EU's eastern edge, Varankov added. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Oct. 28 readiness to reopen crossings Kuznica and Bobrowniki in November, with a 48-hour prep time, but Minister of the Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwinski delayed it by weeks on Oct. 30. Lithuania closed crossings Medininkai and Salcininkai until Dec. 1, as confirmed by Belarus's State Border Committee.