English

Foreign Minister`s Makey slams EU`s "sanctions against Belarus"

 

The European Union`s sanctions against Belarus are an "absolutely abnormal phenomenon" and should be abolished, Belarusian Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makey said at a news conference following a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow on July 10.

He was apparently referring to the entry bans and asset freezes placed by the EU on a number of Belarusian individuals and businesses over the persecution of Alyaksandr Lukashenka`s opponents.
"We have always called for dialogue and any proposals that might contribute to the development of this dialogue with our European partners," said Mr. Makey. "We intend to maintain close relations with all of our neighbors, with all countries that are ready to meet us halfway."

Mr. Makey said that Minsk had a calm attitude toward the EU`s discussions over who should be invited to represent Belarus at an Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius this November. "We believe that if the EU is interested in having dialogue with Belarus, it should be an equal dialogue without blackmail and ultimatums," he said.

Belarus is interested in involvement in the Eastern Partnership at the "current stage," the minister noted. "We can borrow something useful from it, can take part in some regional programs that may bring benefits to Belarus," he said.

However, he hinted that Minsk could withdraw from the program if it found it no longer useful.

In June, the EU suspended its entry ban against Mr. Makey. // BelaPAN