Latvia suspends agreement with Russia on simplified mutual visits by residents of border areas from August

RIGA. July 14 (Interfax/BNS) - The Latvian government has decided to suspend its agreement with Russia, which simplifies mutual visits by residents of border territories, from August 1, the BNS news agency reported on Thursday.

The agreement was signed in 2010 to make it easier for Latvians and Russians living near the joint border to travel to the other country, the report said, citing Latvia's Foreign Ministry.

In response to Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, Latvia suspended the issuance of visas, including border ones, to Russians at all Latvian diplomatic and consular missions. The Foreign Ministry also advised Latvian residents to refrain from traveling to Russia.

In addition, border permits will no longer be issued because of Russia's decision to close the Latvian consulate in Pskov, as this was Latvia's only consular mission which issued such permission to Russian citizens, the report said.

Earlier, the Saeima (parliament) committee on foreign affairs had urged the government to suspend the agreement with Russia.