EU foreign ministers agree to prepare a new package of sanctions against Belarus
<p> MINSK, Nov 19 - PrimePress. Foreign Ministers of 27 countries of the European Union (EU) agreed during an online meeting on 19 November to prepare a new package of sanctions against Belarus, which may affect not only officials and representatives of security agencies, but also government agencies, companies and entrepreneurs. </p> <p> </p> <p> EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell made a statement to this effect at a press conference in Brussels on November 19, TASS informs. </p> <p> </p> <p> Borrell noted that new restrictive measures would be taken in an operational manner. “EU countries must now submit proposals for new items on the sanctions list, justifying their proposals. We have asked them to submit as many proposals as they can and I will make every effort to ensure that we can put these measures into effect as soon as possible,” he said. </p> <p> </p> <p> He also said that he has prepared a special report which presents a broad approach to EU relations with Belarus. “I did this in agreement with the services of the European Commission. This report has been finalised and submitted to the member countries, which will study it and decide on it,” Borrell explained. </p> <p> </p> <p> The report, in particular, touches upon the financial aspects of cooperation with the Belarusian authorities. “We will no longer transfer a single euro to the Lukashenko regime. All the money will go to the development of civil society in Belarus through various non-governmental organizations,” Borrell said. It is also allowed to reduce the level of relations with Belarus, including within the framework of the Eastern Partnership. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported by Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey on Nov 17, the Belarusian authorities are preparing a response to the possible expansion of sanctions by the European Union. “The reaction will be really adequate and very sensitive for our European partners,” said Makey. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, the EU introduced two blocks of sanctions against Minsk, blacklisting </p> <p> 55 representatives of the country’s leadership, including President Alexander Lukashenko and heads of law enforcement agencies. These persons are not allowed to enter the EU, their accounts in European banks, if found, are subject to freezing. End </p>
2020-11-20
Primepress
MINSK, Nov 19 - PrimePress. Foreign Ministers of 27 countries of the European Union (EU) agreed during an online meeting on 19 November to prepare a new package of sanctions against Belarus, which may affect not only officials and representatives of security agencies, but also government agencies, companies and entrepreneurs.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell made a statement to this effect at a press conference in Brussels on November 19, TASS informs.
Borrell noted that new restrictive measures would be taken in an operational manner. “EU countries must now submit proposals for new items on the sanctions list, justifying their proposals. We have asked them to submit as many proposals as they can and I will make every effort to ensure that we can put these measures into effect as soon as possible,” he said.
He also said that he has prepared a special report which presents a broad approach to EU relations with Belarus. “I did this in agreement with the services of the European Commission. This report has been finalised and submitted to the member countries, which will study it and decide on it,” Borrell explained.
The report, in particular, touches upon the financial aspects of cooperation with the Belarusian authorities. “We will no longer transfer a single euro to the Lukashenko regime. All the money will go to the development of civil society in Belarus through various non-governmental organizations,” Borrell said. It is also allowed to reduce the level of relations with Belarus, including within the framework of the Eastern Partnership.
As previously reported by Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey on Nov 17, the Belarusian authorities are preparing a response to the possible expansion of sanctions by the European Union. “The reaction will be really adequate and very sensitive for our European partners,” said Makey.
As previously reported, the EU introduced two blocks of sanctions against Minsk, blacklisting
55 representatives of the country’s leadership, including President Alexander Lukashenko and heads of law enforcement agencies. These persons are not allowed to enter the EU, their accounts in European banks, if found, are subject to freezing. End