Belarus govt drafts counter-sanctions in economy and politics based on MFA proposals - Makey

<p> MINSK, Jul 30 - PrimePress. The government of Belarus has developed and structured responses to Western sanctions in various economic and political areas on the basis of proposals made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey said in a newspaper interview. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “On the basis of the proposals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government has developed and structured algorithms of responses to the restrictive measures of the West in all directions. Not only economical, but also related to the activities of NGOs, political institutions, international organizations and so on. Each ministry concerned has been given appropriate tasks," SB. Belarus Today public internet portal reports citing Makey as saying. </p> <p>   </p> <p> According to him, the Foreign Ministry is also tasked to mobilize the necessary international support for Belarus and expand the presence of Belarusian products in foreign markets. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, the EU Council on 25 June 2021 introduced sanctions against largest sectors of Belarus’ economy entities in response to human rights abuse by Belarus authorities and the Ryanair diversion incident of 23 May 2021. 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 ban also applies to continuation of EIB technical aid contracts. All bans imposed by the EU on Belarus do not apply to contracts entered into before 25 June 2021. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Following the August 2020 presidential election in Belarus, a political crisis began in the country. The authorities responded to protests by citizens who disagreed with the election results with harsh repression and persecution. Since October 2020, the European Union has imposed three packages of mostly personal sanctions against the Belarusian authorities. </p> <p>   </p> <p> July 6, Lukashenko held a meeting on countering sanctions. In his words, Belarus may consider imposing restrictions on overland transit in the event of new Western sanctions. He also instructed the government to pay attention to the work of foreign companies in Belarus and to the transit of cargo through its territory. In his opinion, restrictions should be imposed on German companies. In this regard, he reminded that in April 2021, the Belarusian government banned imports of Škoda Auto (Czech Republic), Liqui Moly and Beiersdorf (Germany) for six months. End </p>

2021-07-31

Primepress