Belarus’ authorities take advantage of western sanctions to deepen economic cooperation with Russia – Lukashenko

<p> MINSK, Jul 1 - PrimePress. Belarus’ authorities use Western sanctions to deepen economic cooperation with Russia, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said during the plenary session of the VIII Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia on 1 July, the president’s press service said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Lukashenko thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for publicly supporting Belarus in a difficult period, especially amidst the attempts to destabilize the situation in the country and destroy its economy. According to Lukashenko, this matter was also discussed during a telephone conversation between the two leaders earlier on 1 July. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “The conclusion we arrived at is the following: we will not just withstand the attacks undertaken against our states. We will use this situation (the way the Russian Federation did when the sanctions were introduced against it) to strengthen economic cooperation and make our states absolutely independent, and not only fr om the economic point of view. This is the outcome of our negotiations,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Speaking about the current geopolitical challenges, the Belarusian leader noted the leaders of the Western countries have chosen to rely on force: they openly interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states, constantly change the rules of the game, ignoring the basic agreements. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “It is clear that all the sanctions are simply the unscrupulous attempts to eliminate economic competitors and take hold of human and material resources in our states. The West has set out to hamper development, disrupt integration projects and change the policy of Belarus (and not only our country). Therefore, strengthening the unity and increasing cooperation are of particular importance,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The EU Council on 25 June 2021 introduced sanctions against largest sectors of Belarus’ economy. The sanctions prohibit the sale, supply, transfer or export of equipment, technology or software intended primarily for use in the monitoring or interception by, or on behalf of, the Belarusian authorities of the internet and of telephone communications on mobile or fixed networks. Furthermore, the sale, supply or transfer of dual-use items for military use and to specified persons, entities or bodies in Belarus should be prohibited. The EU Council ruled to ban the direct or indirect sale, supply, transfer or export to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Belarus or for use in Belarus of goods used for the production or manufacturing of tobacco products; the purchase, import or transfer from Belarus of petroleum products, potassium chloride products. The EU Council prohibited EU entities and individuals from purchasing, selling, and provide investment services for or assistance in the issuance of, or otherwise deal with transferable securities and money-market instruments with a maturity exceeding 90 days, issued after 29 June 2021. Securities of large credit institutions or other institutions with more than 50% state ownership or control as of 29 June 2021 are also prohibited. The ban also affects bonds issued by major credit or other institutions established in Belarus with over 50 % public ownership or control as of 29 June 2021 (Belarusbank, Belinvestbank, Belagroprombank). The government of Belarus, public bodies, corporations or agencies, or entities acting at their direction, are prohibited from acquiring insurance or reinsurance services from the EU. Any payments or disbursements by the European Investment Bank in connection with any existing agreements with the Republic of Belarus or its public authorities shall be prohibited. The EU member states will take the necessary measures to lim it the involvement of multilateral development banks in Belarus. The prohibitions shall be without prejudice to the execution of contracts concluded before 25 June 2021 or ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, the Council of the European Union (EU) at the level of foreign ministers of EU member states approved on 21 June 2021 the fourth package of individual sanctions on Belarus targeting 78 individuals and eight entities. The list of persons and entities hit by the sanctions includes MAZ, BelAZ, New Oil Company, Belaeronavigatsia air traffic service company, Bremino Group, Logex and Globalcustommanagement logistics companies, Sohra (exporter of Belarusian equipment). </p> <p>   </p> <p> The United States on 21 June 2021 introduced sanctions against Belarus’ 16 individuals and 5 entities in response to human rights abuse and the Ryanair diversion incident. The United Kingdom (UK) on June 21 imposed sanctions against 11 individuals and two entities of Belarus after the Ryanair plane incident, as well as in response to human rights violations and suppression of democracy. Canada on 21 June 2021 imposed sanctions against 17 individuals and five entities of Belarus after the Ryanair plane incident and in response to human rights abuse. End </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, after the August 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, a political crisis began in the country. The authorities responded to the protests of citizens who disagreed with the election results with harsh repression and persecution. Since October 2020, the EU has already introduced three packages of (mostly targeted) sanctions against the Belarusian authorities. End </p>

2021-07-02

Primepress