European Union: Belarus will face very strict sanctions
...If political prisoners are not released on an urgent basis...
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton and the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzekhave said this at the meeting with the representatives of the Belarusian democratic circles.
The European Union may introduce not only political, but also economic sanctions against Belarus, if the political prisoners are not released immediately. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton and the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek have said this at the meeting with the representatives of the Belarusian democratic circles.
Nyaklyaeva: “It is evident by now that there will be not just the visa sanctions, but the economic sanctions as well. The EU's position is as follows - to press the authorities but to support the society”.
Eva Nyaklyaeva notes that Catherine Ashton is to meet with the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Siarhej Martynau today. According to the ex-candidate's daughter, the High Representatives of the EU intends to "say what she thinks" right in his face and also to set an ultimatum: if the political prisoners are not released immediately, there will be "very strict sanctions".
Eva Nyaklyaeva says Mrs. Ashton will meet with Martynau in order to convey the ultimatum on release of the political prisoners.
The hearings on the situation in Belarus will start in the European Parliament soon.
“We were waiting for you since December 19. We know it well that we should change our policy towards Belarus. All of them standing around are as a matter of fact winners of the last elections.
We ask them for some advises how to deal the current situation in Belarus from the point of view of the European Union. We expect to release all the political prisoners immediately, non- condition, and there's no other way if you want to keep any relations.
Second, proper medical care for everybody who needs care after all the events after December 19. We also expect all the European institutions will think from the very beginning of our relations with Belarus.
After 19 December, many, many things changed and our relations should be also changed.
There was a similar experience in some countries of the European Union. In my home country, everything started with "Solidarity". The war-like situation only postponed the inevitable. I am convinced it will be the same in Belarus. I am confident that Belarusian people will win in the end. The time for freedom and democracy will come soon.
I would like to assure the Belarusian people in our strongest solidarity with them”, - said the President of the European Parliament in his greeting speech.
Aliaksandr Kazulin, Stanislau Shushkevich, the representative of Andrej Sannikau's HQ Victar Ivashkevich, Vital Rymasheuski's representative Dzianis Sadouski, Siarhej Kaliakin and Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu's daughter Eva Nyaklyaeva participated in the meeting with the EU's representatives. According to Eva Nyaklyaeva, Brussels has taken a strict position with regard to the events in Belarus. We ask them for some advises how to deal the current situation in Belarus from the point of view of the European Union. We expect to release all the political prisoners immediately, non- condition, and there's no other way if you want to keep any relations.
Second, proper medical care for everybody who needs care after all the events after December 19. We also expect all the European institutions will think from the very beginning of our relations with Belarus.
After 19 December, many, many things changed and our relations should be also changed.
There was a similar experience in some countries of the European Union. In my home country, everything started with "Solidarity". The war-like situation only postponed the inevitable. I am convinced it will be the same in Belarus. I am confident that Belarusian people will win in the end. The time for freedom and democracy will come soon.
I would like to assure the Belarusian people in our strongest solidarity with them”, - said the President of the European Parliament in his greeting speech.
Nyaklyaeva: “It is evident by now that there will be not just the visa sanctions, but the economic sanctions as well. The EU's position is as follows - to press the authorities but to support the society”.
Eva Nyaklyaeva notes that Catherine Ashton is to meet with the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Siarhej Martynau today. According to the ex-candidate's daughter, the High Representatives of the EU intends to "say what she thinks" right in his face and also to set an ultimatum: if the political prisoners are not released immediately, there will be "very strict sanctions".
Eva Nyaklyaeva says Mrs. Ashton will meet with Martynau in order to convey the ultimatum on release of the political prisoners.
The hearings on the situation in Belarus will start in the European Parliament soon.
