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Omani tourists will be offered package tours to Belarus based on Belavia's Minsk-Salalah charter flights, BelTA learned from the National Tourism Agency following a meeting with a delegation of representatives from the tourism sector of the Sultanate of Oman, held at the Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry.
The parties discussed the prospects of launching regular Oman Air flights on the Muscat-Minsk route in 2026, which would significantly simplify logistics and increase the accessibility of Belarus for Omani travelers. Omani tourists have shown particular interest in hunting tourism and fishing, as well as the evening cultural life in Belarusian cities. Representatives of the Omani tourism business expressed confidence that Belarus can offer a unique experience for lovers of active recreation and cultural entertainment.
Representatives of Omani tour operators presented their ideas for concepts of family tours to Belarus, emphasizing opportunities for nature recreation and offers for children's holidays during the summer season, when extremely high temperatures are prevalent in the Sultanate of Oman.
“Belarus, with its picturesque landscapes, clean air, and developed infrastructure for children's recreation, could be an excellent alternative for Omani families wishing to spend the summer in comfortable conditions,” the National Tourism Agency said.
The expected duration of the tours is 4-6 days, and 4-5 star category hotels are planned for accommodation to ensure a high level of comfort. According to the visiting delegation, the corridor between the prince's and princess's chambers in the Nesvizh Castle inspired them to develop tourist offers for newlyweds in Belarus.
Representatives of the National Union of Tourist Organizations also took part in the meeting. According to the union, sales of tours to Oman with departure from Minsk opened on 24 July. Belavia's flight program to Salalah will run from 23 October until the end of May 2026.
“Belarusian nature, climate, picturesque landscapes, and developed infrastructure - all of this can attract tourists from hot Oman to our country. Belarus has many forests, water bodies, exotic marshes, glacial lakes, and the entire country is permeated with river arteries. The largest part of the relic forest, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, is located on our territory. Overall, all regions of the country are of interest from a landscape and natural point of view,” representatives of the tourism business believe.
Tour operators propose forming city tours based on the rich cultural life of the capital and other cities. Minsk and Minsk Oblast have a sufficient number of attractions - from medieval castles and monuments of sacral architecture to the rich architectural heritage of the Soviet era. No other city in the Eurasian part of the continent has such a pronounced connection through time.
“All this is very important to convey to Omani tourists while promoting the unique Belarusian tourism product in the Sultanate,” the National Union of Tourist Organizations said.
On 8-11 October, Belarus hosted a delegation of representatives from the tourism sector of the Sultanate of Oman as part of a familiarization tour organized by the Tourism Department of the Belarusian Sports and Tourism Ministry and the National Tourism Agency. This visit is an important step in developing Belarusian-Omani cooperation in the tourism sector, aimed at attracting foreign tourists and strengthening Belarus' image as an attractive tourist destination.
During the intensive program, the Omani visitors became familiar with the most significant historical and cultural landmarks of Belarus and also assessed the level of service and infrastructure offered by Belarusian hotels and organizations.
The tour program included visits to gems of Belarusian architecture, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Mir Castle and Nesvizh Castle. These sites are vivid examples of rich history and architectural craftsmanship, reflecting different eras and styles.
The guests also visited the Dudutki museum of ancient folk crafts and technologies, the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, took a sightseeing tour of Minsk, and visited the National Scientific and Practical Center of Sports.
The defense ministries of Belarus and Cuba have agreed to intensify cooperation, the press service of the Belarusian Defense Ministry told BelTA.
At the conclusion of the official visit, the Cuban delegation, led by Chief of the General Staff – First Deputy Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Roberto Legra Sotolongo, toured a Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces command post and weapons arsenal. The delegation also visited the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex.
“Following the visit, the defense chiefs of both countries agreed to intensify cooperation across all the areas of mutual interest,” the press service of the Belarusian Defense Ministry informed.
In this context, Pavel Muraveiko, Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Defense Minister of Belarus, set a task to arrange and conduct a series of practical bilateral events in the near future. “Belarus is committed not only to fulfilling our agreed-upon plans but also to exploring new, promising areas of cooperation,” Pavel Muraveiko noted.
Belarus and the United Arab Emirates have great potential in the military cooperation, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said at a meeting with Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, the press service of the Belarusian Defense Ministry told BelTA.
The meeting was held in Minsk. During the talks, the Belarusian minister noted that the two countries have considerable potential for military cooperation. “This year, the first meeting of the Joint Belarus-UAE Interagency Commission for Military Cooperation took place, and a plan for bilateral military cooperation was signed for the first time, outlining the steps in the areas of mutual interest,” the Belarusian defense minister said.
Viktor Khrenin pointed out that one such event could be the training of UAE servicemen in the Military Academy of Belarus in the programs that are of interest to the UAE Armed Forces. “Holding joint training, competitions between servicemen, and cultural events could help enhance our interaction. We are keen to actively work on this area at a forum for relevant specialists,” the Belarusian defense minister noted.
He also added that the Belarusian side is always open to considering initiatives and proposals from the UAE. “Belarus is deeply committed to expanding cooperation with the UAE, and its Armed Forces are open to developing dialogue in all areas of interest for the UAE side,” Viktor Khrenin emphasized.
Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei expressed interest in military cooperation in a number of areas and noted that Belarus supports the UAE in its peaceful initiatives. As a result of the meeting, the parties outlined ways for the further development of bilateral relations and also agreed to develop dialogue at the expert level.
As previously reported, Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei held a meeting with Chief of the General Staff, First Deputy Defense Minister of Belarus Pavel Muraveiko. The parties discussed topical issues of military interaction and exchanged experience in combat training.
Türkiye is interested in Belarus’ experience in implementing the principles of democracy at elections, Chairman of Türkiye’s Supreme Election Council Ahmet Yener said at the 2nd International Electoral Forum in Minsk on 8 October, BelTA has learned.
Ahmet Yener recalled that the day before the Central Election Commission of Belarus and the Supreme Electoral Council of Türkiye had signed a memorandum of cooperation and described the event as a historic step. “Our organizations will now act within the framework of the agreement to further develop democratic values in elections,” he said.
According to him, the international conference “Building legal culture as a factor for harmonious and sustainable elections”, held as part of the forum, will help chart the future course for democratic development in elections. “The participants will exchange opinions. We will deliver a report on how the electoral process is carried out in Türkiye. We will receive comprehensive information on how this process is conducted in Belarus and will be able to use the experience of other CIS countries, which will also participate in today’s event,” Ahmet Yener said.
Türkiye aims to ensure the highest possible voter turnout and comprehensive coverage of election results. “We witnessed how democratic principles were put into practice in the 2025 presidential elections in Belarus,” the chairman said and added that the cooperation will continue to advance.
The Central Election Commission of Belarus and the Supreme Election Council of Türkiye have signed a memorandum of cooperation, BelTA has learned.
The document was signed by Chairman of the Central Election Commission Igor Karpenko and Chairman of the Supreme Election Council of the Republic of Türkiye Ahmet Yener.
According to CEC Secretary Yelena Baldovskaya, the signing of the memorandum will facilitate bilateral professional relations with Turkish colleagues. “This will undoubtedly involve, first and foremost, the exchange of experience in organizing and conducting election campaigns, the application of potential technologies during elections, and- echoing the general theme of the forum - studying methods of public engagement, possibly even adopting best practices in the organization and execution of election campaigns,” she stated.
Similar documents have already been signed with Russia and Uzbekistan. Work is underway on the draft memoranda with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and a number of other countries.
The bilateral meeting is taking place within the framework of the 2nd International Electoral Forum, which will be held in Minsk on 8 and 9 October.
“For us, the forum is becoming a wonderful tradition. Participants are arriving today. These are representatives of central electoral bodies from CIS member states and countries beyond the CIS, and also members of the academic community and youth, given that the overarching theme of the forum is dedicated to legal education and raising awareness in the field of electoral law. Today, the Central Election Commission will host the first meeting of the Youth Council. Tomorrow, the central event of the forum will be panel discussion and also thematic sections, and a roundtable. Its participants will discuss the most pressing issues and challenges in shaping the legal culture of voters,” Yelena Baldovskaya informed.
The forum will run a panel discussion on shaping the spiritual and moral foundations of legal culture. On Thursday, the program features an open dialogue with the participation of representatives of the Central Election Commission and the Education Ministry.
Since 1 January 2025, Belarus has hosted 181,601 travelers from 38 countries included in the visa-waiver program, with most of them arriving from neighboring Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, BelTA learned from the State Border Committee.
A total of 1,213,337 European residents have visited Belarus since 15 April 2022. They included 389 536 visitors from Latvia, 650,334 people from Lithuania and 122,998 visitors from Poland. On 19 July 2024 the visa-waiver program was extended to include 35 more countries. A total of 50,469 citizens of these countries have visited Belarus.
The border committee also recalled that the head of state extended the visa-waiver program for citizens of 38 European countries. Foreigners will be able to come to Belarus without a visa until 31 December 2025. Detailed information about the visa waiver is available in the special section on the website of the State Border Committee and the Border of Belarus app.
A Belarusian delegation led by Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich and Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia Aleksandr Rogozhnik has arrived in Russia’s Kemerovo Oblast (Kuzbass) on a working visit, BelTA has learned.
The delegation met with Kemerovo Oblast Governor Ilya Seredyuk to discuss cooperation between Belarus and Kuzbass. As the governor noted in his Telegram channel, the parties agreed to implement joint educational programs to train specialists to work with modern Belarusian machinery. In particular, the plans include advanced training courses and practical placements for students of specialized universities and colleges.
“We also agreed on uninterrupted supply and service support for Belarusian mining, road maintenance, agricultural, and construction machinery within the framework of a multi‑brand center in Belovo. In turn, we will ensure the supply of in‑demand agricultural products from Kuzbass enterprises to the Belarusian market. Belarus is ready to purchase our rapeseed. A trial batch of 9,000 tonnes of oilseeds has already been delivered to the country,” Ilya Seredyuk noted.
One day after school, eighth-grader Alesia Gavrilenko saw a brief ad on social media: “Who wants to become a model? Put a ‘+’.” Intrigued, she did so. To her astonishment, she soon received a message from a Minsk model agency, asking her to send her photos and measurements.
To verify the agency’s credibility, Alesia’s father visited their Minsk office, where he reviewed their official permits and certificates. Once reassured, Alesia signed a three-year contract and began her career with a basic portfolio shoot. Her parents then secured permission from her school for the two-month absence the new endeavor required.
During her winter break, Alesia embarked on her first modeling assignment abroad. The sprawling, bustling metropolis of Seoul was a world apart from her native village of Streshin and even the streets of Minsk, striking her as immense, noisy, and utterly foreign.
For her first show, Alesia modeled jewelry from a world-renowned brand for a wedding magazine. The work was demanding, requiring her to hold a single, elegant pose for extended periods – a tiring task, as she later admitted. The shoot was momentarily interrupted when her watch slipped from her wrist and clattered to the floor. Security guards, tasked with protecting the valuable pieces, rushed to inspect it for damage. Fortunately, the watch was fine, and the shoot continued with rings and earrings from the same brand. Ultimately, Alesia’s debut as a model was a success, landing her first photos on the cover of a prominent magazine.
Upon returning to Streshin two months later, Alesia promptly made up for her missed schoolwork, finishing ninth grade with good marks. Her second work trip took place the following winter during her tenth grade. These milestones are now commemorated in a special display at home, featuring the magazines she has appeared in, her professional badges, and the names of her client brands.
At just 14 years old, Alesia used her first modeling paycheck to make a surprising purchase: a cow. Then another. Now, the Gavrilenko family has a full herd – a dozen dairy cows, plus bulls and calves.. Her mother Galina manages the milking with a machine, while Alesia, true to her roots, still knows how to care for the animals herself.
Though her modeling career has taken her abroad, Alesia Gavrilenko’s ambitions are firmly anchored in Belarus. She is currently pursuing a correspondence degree in international law at MITSO International University – a pragmatic choice over her schoolgirl dream of architecture, as she considers a good diploma an essential safety net.
To advance interstate and military ties with Ethiopia, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin held a working meeting with Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force Yilma Merdasa Gnapa, with Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich also part of the meeting, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Defense Ministry.
During the meeting, Viktor Khrenin noted that, according to the head of state, Ethiopia is one of the most important states in East Africa for Belarus and that Belarus wants to establish a mutually beneficial presence there. “This also applies to the military and military-technical cooperation. Therefore, we, the representatives of the armed forces of Belarus and Ethiopia, must clearly follow the lead of our heads of state. I am convinced that effective and fruitful cooperation in various areas and frequent engagement will allow us to successfully implement joint plans,” the Belarusian defense minister said.
Yilma Merdasa Gnapa expressed confidence in the deepening of bilateral relations.
The parties noted the similarity of Belarus’ and Ethiopia’s approaches to assessing the most pressing problems of international security and the friendly nature of bilateral relations at the highest level, which creates favorable conditions for building further interaction. In addition, the meeting outlined issues of bilateral military cooperation of mutual interest, with an emphasis on specific practical measures.
Minsk is set to host a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council on 30 September, BelTA has learned.
The agenda for the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting includes 19 items concerning financial support for industry and the agro-industrial complex, the development of an integrated information system, transport infrastructure, and a number of other issues.
The year 2025 marks Belarus' chairmanship in the Eurasian Economic Union's bodies. The priorities of the Belarusian chairmanship include: developing technological potential and cooperation, enhancing food security, completing the formation of a common transport space, leveling the conditions for economic activity, creating a transparent competitive environment, and protecting the internal market. Further priorities are intensifying collaboration in digital transformation, developing international cooperation, and transitioning to a new level of information interaction.
