Roland: USA interested in cancellation of Belarus sanctions (video)
However, America is waiting for Belarusian authorities’ steps.
The United States is interested in cancelling Belarus sanctions, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Scott Roland said in the programme Contours on ONT on July 12. However, America is expecting the Belarusian authorities to make some steps on the way to it.
The U.S. sanctions were imposed by the administration of President George Bush in 2006 and have been prolonged every year since then, Roland said. The sanctions are targeted and do not affect ordinary Belarusians. The U.S. sanctions policy corresponds to the EU policy, the diplomat added.
"In the end, we are also interested in the cancellation of Belarus sanctions and restoration of normal relations. But it may happen only after the Belarusian authorities make the corresponding steps on the way to it,” Roland believes. The discrepancies in some spheres do not exclude cooperation in the spheres were the two states’ interests coincide – the economy and support of Belarus’ independence and sovereignty of Belarus – the diplomat said.
The U.S. visa and financial sanctions are targeted at a number of Belarusian officials including Alyaksandr Lukashenka. American companies are not allowed to close any deals with the blacklisted people.
