EUD to Belarus delivers demarche on 50-fold increase in illegal border crossings
<p> MINSK, Sep 8 - PrimePress. The Delegation of the European Union (EUD) to Belarus on 8 Sep 2021 delivered a demarche to the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Belarus on illegal border crossings from Belarus into the European Union, says a message posted on the EUD official web site. </p> <p> </p> <p> “The European External Action Service (EEAS) maintains that the observed 50-fold increase of irregular crossings from Belarus into the EU, is not a reflection of the inability of the Belarus administration to comply with their obligations in combatting illegal migration and human trafficking. There are no objective reasons for such a sharp increase in illegal crossings on the route in question. The EU condemns the instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes and urges the authorities in Belarus to stop this practice.” </p> <p> </p> <p> “Irregular migration cannot be used as a bargaining chip,” said the EUD. </p> <p> </p> <p> “Since the Council Conclusions of October 2020, the authorities in Belarus have been fully aware of the EU’s gradual approach to the use of sanctions and of what has to be done for the EU to lift its sanctions and normalise relations. The EU remains ready to substantially step up its political engagement, sectoral cooperation, and financial assistance to Belarus provided that its authorities stop repression, promote a serious, credible and inclusive political process resulting in free and fair elections under the OSCE/ODIHR's observation, and provide guarantees for the rule of law and for respect for human rights.” </p> <p> </p> <p> On 2 Sep 2021, Luc Devigne, deputy managing director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional cooperation and OSCE at the European External Action Service (EEAS), told MEPs during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, that a fifth-round of measures is in the work against President Alexander Lukashenko and his regime. </p> <p> </p> <p> The EU previously imposed four sets of sanctions, which it justified by the escalation of human rights violations in Belarus following the presidential election of 9 August 2020. The overall sanctions list includes 166 individuals, as well as 15 organisations and businesses. In addition, following the emergency landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk on 23 May 2021, the EU imposed sanctions on major sectors of the Belarusian economy, including the export of potash fertilisers and petrochemical products to the EU. End </p>
2021-09-09
Primepress
EUD to Belarus delivers demarche on 50-fold increase in illegal border crossings
MINSK, Sep 8 - PrimePress. The Delegation of the European Union (EUD) to Belarus on 8 Sep 2021 delivered a demarche to the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Belarus on illegal border crossings from Belarus into the European Union, says a message posted on the EUD official web site.
“The European External Action Service (EEAS) maintains that the observed 50-fold increase of irregular crossings from Belarus into the EU, is not a reflection of the inability of the Belarus administration to comply with their obligations in combatting illegal migration and human trafficking. There are no objective reasons for such a sharp increase in illegal crossings on the route in question. The EU condemns the instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes and urges the authorities in Belarus to stop this practice.”
“Irregular migration cannot be used as a bargaining chip,” said the EUD.
“Since the Council Conclusions of October 2020, the authorities in Belarus have been fully aware of the EU’s gradual approach to the use of sanctions and of what has to be done for the EU to lift its sanctions and normalise relations. The EU remains ready to substantially step up its political engagement, sectoral cooperation, and financial assistance to Belarus provided that its authorities stop repression, promote a serious, credible and inclusive political process resulting in free and fair elections under the OSCE/ODIHR's observation, and provide guarantees for the rule of law and for respect for human rights.”
On 2 Sep 2021, Luc Devigne, deputy managing director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional cooperation and OSCE at the European External Action Service (EEAS), told MEPs during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, that a fifth-round of measures is in the work against President Alexander Lukashenko and his regime.
The EU previously imposed four sets of sanctions, which it justified by the escalation of human rights violations in Belarus following the presidential election of 9 August 2020. The overall sanctions list includes 166 individuals, as well as 15 organisations and businesses. In addition, following the emergency landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk on 23 May 2021, the EU imposed sanctions on major sectors of the Belarusian economy, including the export of potash fertilisers and petrochemical products to the EU. End