In view of prolonging EU arms embargo and sanctions against four Belarusian individuals, news agency BelaPAN asked the Foreign Ministry to evaluate the decision.
“We took note of the information on the EU decision. It causes nothing but regret. Sanctions are a relic of the past. They totally contradict the current nature of relations between Belarus and the EU which are becoming increasingly meaningful and constructive,” Anatol Glaz, Spokesman for the Ministry, answered.
The diplomat expressed hope that ‘pragmatic and trustful cooperation’ on a growing range of topics of mutual interest would sooner or later overpower the logic of sanctions ‘that had proven their ineffectiveness’.
Belarus is ready for full-fledged good-neighborly relations and partnership with the EU, Anatol Glaz stressed.
On February 25, the Council of the European Union decided to prolong the restrictive measures against Belarus for one year, until 28 February 2020.
Restrictive measures on the part of the EU towards Belarus were first introduced in 2004 in connection with the disappearances of four people – opposition politicians Yury Zakharanka and Viktar Hanchar, businessman Anatol Krasouski and journalist Dzmitry Zavadski. Personal sanctions were applied to the former Interior Minister Uladzimir Naumau, former head of the presidential administration Viktar Sheyman, Yury Sivakou, who occupied the post of the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs during the disappearance of politicians, and Dzmitry Paulichenka, commander of the special forces brigade of the Interior Ministry.
The Council later adopted further restrictive measures against those involved in the violation of international electoral standards and international human rights law, as well as in the crackdown on civil society and democratic opposition. AS a result, Alyaksandr Lukashenka was denied entry to EU member coutries for years.
In 2011, the European Union imposed an embargo on the supply of arms to Belarus.
In February 2016, the European Union lifted sanctions against the Belarusian leader and 169 officials. Tangible steps taken by Belarus to respect universal fundamental freedoms, rule of law and human rights will remain key for the shaping of the EU’s future policy towards Belarus, as stated in Council conclusions of 15 February 2016.
According to Civil Rights Defenders, the sanctions were removed without any improvements to the human rights situation. However, sanctions against Naumau, Sheyman, Sivakou and Paulichenka are still in force.
