You're reading: Border Service: Demarcation row with Belarus could affect bilateral ties

The residents of Liubashisvky district of Volyn Oblast have blocked demarcation work along the Belarus-Ukraine border that may affect bilateral relations of two states.

According to press secretary of State Border Guard of Ukraine Oleh Slobodian, residents of the mentioned district expressed their discontent towards demarcation work by Belarusian authorities, saying the delimitation of Ukrainian-Belarusian border was done incorrectly.

Belarus in February 2016 halted engineering works along the Zhyrovsky Channel, which stretches along the border and is claimed by Belarus.

Slobodian said at moment Belarus can’t restore the engineering jobs since “local residents do not permit that.”

“This situation could interrupt field demarcation work along the state border and, in turn, affect bilateral relations,” he said.

He said the Border Service reported on the conflict to central executive bodies, law enforcement and local self-government agencies.

The Border Service is determining the reasons for discontent, which has created obstacles for removing water from the channel in order to wash amber.