artjazz / DepositPhotos
artjazz / DepositPhotos
The head of diplomacy of the European Union Josep Borrell said on Tuesday that the analysis of the EU’s relations with Belarus after the presidential elections could lead to “measures” against those who falsified the election results and used violence.
Borrell recalled that the EU in 2015-2016 abolished in several stages most of the sanctions against Minsk, in effect since late 1990-ies. “After the release of political prisoners in 2015 relations between the EU and Belarus improved. But without progress in human rights and the rule of law relations between the EU and Belarus can only deteriorate,” – said in a communiqué issued in Brussels.
Against this backdrop, the EU “will assess the actions of the Belarusian authorities to settle the current situation.” The Borrell does not rule out “taking action against those responsible for observed violence, arbitrary arrests and the falsification of election results”, reports “Interfax”.
In a statement on behalf of the European Union noted that the EU is closely monitoring developments around the presidential elections. “During the election campaign the people of Belarus have demonstrated their desire for democratic change,” says Borrell.
However, he stressed that “the elections were neither free nor fair”. “Public authorities, – said EU high representative for foreign Affairs, have used disproportionate and unacceptable violence, with the result that at least one person was killed and many were injured. Thousands of people were detained, and the suppression of freedom of Assembly, media and expression increased.”
Borrell on behalf of the EU urged the Belarusian authorities “immediately and unconditionally release all detainees”. “In addition, credible reports of local observers indicate that the electoral process did not meet international standards expected of the state-participants of OSCE,” – said the head of European diplomacy.
He noted that “the people of Belarus deserve better.”
Josep Borrell called on the political leadership of Belarus to “start a genuine and inclusive dialogue with the wider society to avoid further violence.”
“The EU will continue to support the democratic, independent, sovereign, prosperous and stable Belarus”, – said the head of European diplomacy on behalf of the 27 member States of the European Union.
A separate statement was made by the foreign Ministers of the countries of the so-called triangle Lublin – Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine. It calls for dialogue between the Belarusian authorities and civil society and expressed readiness to mediate in such a dialogue, informs radio “Freedom”.
Previously the foreign Ministry of Belarus said that the EU assessment of the situation in the country “without even trying to understand objectively and realistically assess” her. In a statement, the foreign Ministry said that Minsk “is ready to provide concrete irrefutable evidence that reveal the background of the current events, including the intervention from abroad”.
“Do when a person dies, that tragedy turned into a farce inventing unthinkable version. A priori, making the authorities are guilty, – said the foreign Ministry. – More than 250 victims, barricades in the streets, attempts to seize administrative buildings… the attack on the staff of the Embassy of Belarus in London. It is still a peaceful protest? What else needs to happen that the opinion was objective? There will be enough political courage to see at least of those who clearly provoke?”
Instead of an objective investigation, “on the second day already there are calls for sanctions.” “How then can we believe in the sincerity of your advice?” – appeals of the Belarusian diplomatic office to the European Union.
When the EU foreign Ministers intend to adopt a decision on the reassessment of the relations with Belarus and possible sanctions, the EU statement is not specified. However, earlier Tuesday, a diplomatic source TASS in Brussels said that EU foreign Ministers will discuss the situation around the elections in Belarus, at the informal meeting of 27-28 August in Berlin. He confirmed that it can be considered “the proposals of some EU countries on the resumption of sanctions.”
At the same time, Poland on Monday took the initiative of convening an emergency summit of the EU on Belarus. This proposal was supported by the Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausea in a telephone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and head of the European Council Charles Michel on Tuesday.
However, no evidence that such a meeting can be arranged, while neither official, nor at the technical level. Several diplomats in Brussels do not rule out a short video on the level of foreign Ministers to discuss relations with Belarus, however, as yet no certain information.
The EU has congratulated Alexander Lukashenko on his election victory, but not stated with certainty about the non-recognition of their results, notes TASS.
The EU first imposed restrictive measures against Belarus for violation of human rights and democratic procedures in 1998. Then the visa restrictions 131 Belarusian officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko. The sanctions freeze assets were adopted in 2006.
The United States first imposed sanctions against Minsk in 2004.
After the suppression of the rallies in 2010, when I conducted a presidential election, EU sanctions was expanded. Under the restrictions were more than 150 high-ranking Belarusian officials – they were forbidden to enter the territory of the EU, and their accounts in the EU were frozen. In the black list then re-entered Lukashenka and his elder sons Victor and Dmitry, RBC.
In 2016, the EU has decided to suspend sanctions against several individuals and four companies, however, upheld the embargo on arms and police equipment.