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EU’s decision to suspend entry ban against Makey was unconditional, says foreign ministry spokesman

 

The European Union’s decision to suspend its entry ban against Belarusian Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makey was unconditional, Andrey Savinykh, spokesman for the ministry, said at Thursday’s briefing.

“Naturally, no conditions were put forward,” Mr. Savinykh said. “We view the removal of the sanctions as an absolutely natural step that is a condition for the development of a mutually respectful dialogue.”
Mr. Savinykh stressed that only a dialogue could enable Belarus and the EU to settle their differences.

The possibility of Mr. Makey’s participation in a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Eastern Partnership participating countries this July in Brussels is currently under consideration, he said, adding that a decision would be announced later.

The decision to suspend the visa ban against Mr. Makey was made by the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council on Monday.

Mr. Makey was not removed from a list of citizens of Belarus subject to asset freezes within the EU. According to the visa sanctions against Mr. Makey shall be suspended while he holds the position of foreign minister,

“In order to facilitate diplomatic contacts between the EU and Belarus, the Council today suspended the EU travel ban on Vladimir [Uladzimir] Makey, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs,” the Foreign Affairs Council said in a statement. “Mr Makey will remain on the list of persons subject to EU restrictive measures, but the visa ban will not be applied to him.”

The Council stressed that its “decision does not reflect any change in the EU`s policy towards Belarus.” “The EU maintains its policy of critical engagement with Belarus, including its policy of sanctions, with a view to furthering the respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles in Belarus,” the statement said. // BelaPAN