Only one country will remain there — North Korea.
The Government of Canada decided to lift the sanctions introduced against Belarus more than 10 years ago.
On December 14, 2006, as a result of repression against society that took place after the third presidential election, our country was included in the Area Control List — the list of countries, whose imports and exports require special permits of the Canadian authorities. There are only two countries in this list: Belarus and North Korea.
The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country will be excluded from this list because “the United States and the EU did the same”.
Урад Канады вырашыў адмяніць уведзеныя больш за 10 гадоў таму санкцыі супраць Беларусі.
14 снежня 2006 года ў выніку рэпрэсіяў супраць грамадства пасля трэціх прэзідэнцкіх выбараў нашую краіну ўключылі ў Area Control List – спіс краінаў, імпарт і экспарт з якіх патрабуе адмысловых дазволаў канадскіх уладаў. У гэтым спісе толькі дзве краіны: Беларусь і Паўночная Карэя.
“Revision of approach to Belarus reflects the recognition of the fact that the Government of Belarus has made progress on key issues such as the release of political prisoners and the holding of peaceful presidential elections in October 2015,” said the statement.
According to the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they “recognize the constructive role played by Minsk in the talks on ceasefire and peace in Ukraine”.
Foreign Ministry spokesman John Babcock added that as part of the restoration of relations campaign, Canada recently sent its ambassador to Belarus.
CBC News reports that the Canadian Cabinet’s decision would mean “fewer restrictions on trade and more opportunities in business for both sides”.
Media source notes that the sanctions were lifted “in spite of the deplorable reports on the human rights situation” in the country.
Last year Belarus imported goods from Canada at the cost of $ 19.5 million and exported back at $ 53.7 million.
The decision to lift the sanctions will come into force on 12 July.
