The European Union is likely to lift some sanctions on Belarus, including its travel ban on President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, after he freed a group of political prisoners last month, Reuters reports with reference to ‘diplomatic sources’.
An arms embargo against Belarus as well as the sanctions on four officials who may have been involved in abductions of opposition politicians would remain.
A formal decision could come next week at a meeting of EU diplomats. It could involve officially extending the sanctions, which expire on Oct. 31, but suspending their application for a year, said sources familiar with the debate within the bloc.
However, some diplomats prefer to wait until after Belarus’ elections on October, 11.
“We want to respond directly to those who made this prisoner release possible. The release of the political prisoners was one of our key demands,” said one person involved in the debate, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Plans also include lifting restrictions on some of the 25 Belarusian companies currently targeted, making them eligible for financing from the European Investment Bank. Ending other curbs that block Belarus from European capital markets, export credit insurance or EU technical assistance could also be considered.
“This would mean Russia is no longer the only source of financing for Belarus,” a second person said.
However, one company, military equipment exporter Beltechexport, is likely to remain under sanctions.
The office of EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini declined to comment, although Mogherini welcomed the prisoner release on Aug. 22.
Some EU governments want a “snapback” mechanism, as in the West’s nuclear deal with Iran, whereby any further rights abuses would trigger an immediate re-imposition of sanctions.
www.belsat.eu/en/, following Reuters
