Belarus suspends participation in Eastern Partnership – MFA

<p> MINSK, Jun 28 - PrimePress. Belarus suspends its participation in the European Union’s Eastern Partnership initiative, Belarus’ Foreign Ministry announced Monday. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Moreover, Belarus is recalling its permanent representative to the EU to Minsk for consultations. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The MFA says that chief of the EU Delegation (EUD) to Belarus Dirk Schuebel was offered to leave for Brussels for consultations to inform his supervisors that Belarus finds pressure and sanctions unacceptable. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir May said on May 26 that Belarus could soon see no point in further participating in the European Union’s Eastern Partnership Initiative amid intensifying anti-Belarusian sanctions. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “Given the increased sanctions pressure, our country's further participation in the Eastern Partnership may become no longer relevant. Without Belarus, this initiative also makes no sense. We are considering other retaliation measures as well,” said Makey. In his words, Belarus may suspend cooperation with the European Union to combat illegal migration and organized crime. Restrictions may also affect political foundations, humanitarian programs and non-governmental organizations operating in Belarus. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The Eastern Partnership initiative was established in 2009. It aims to develop EU integration ties with six former Soviet countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, the EU Council on 25 June 2021 introduced sanctions against largest sectors of Belarus’ economy. The sanctions prohibits 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. </p> <p>   </p> <p> 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. </p> <p>   </p> <p> 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. The Council of the European Union at the level of foreign ministers of EU member states on 21 June 2021 approved the fourth package of targeted sanctions against Belarus, which includes 78 individuals, as well as companies: MAZ, BelAZ, New Oil Company, Sohra LLC, Bremino Group LLC, Globalcustommanagement LLC and LOGEX LLC. End </p>

2021-06-29

Primepress