German Ambassador Wolfram Maas described these measures as restrictive, not economic sanctions defending the position of US in this question.
He explained that if Belarus demands EU to treat it as a normal European state, which is fair, thus Belarus should be regarded as one when it comes to European standards. That is why measures against violations of European standards were taken, explained German Ambassador in the interview with BelaPAN.
Belarus has failed to meet the commitments that it took in the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations. "It's absolutely clear that it's important to the EU that Belarus observes the principles that have been jointly agreed upon," he stressed.
The EU has done its utmost to have the principles put into practice in its relations with Belarus, he said, noting that the 27-nation bloc had offered visa facilitation to Belarus.
The ambassador predicted that wider sanctions by the EU could hit hard ordinary Belarusians. "I believe everyone understands what we are aspiring to and understands our readiness to make certain signals for the sake of the achievement of the goals that we are setting ourselves. The expansion of the economic sanctions is a measure that could affect the entire Belarusian people harshly and we cannot be interested in that," he said.
Mr. Maas explained that the EU targets exclusively those who, in their opinion, bear responsibility for actions that shouldn’t be done.
He said Belarus would likely face economic tightening not only as a result of the coronavirus pandemic but also a Russian trade oil crisis that worsened this past winter.
The Belarusan National Platform of the EaP CSF issued a statement in connection with the wave of searches in the editorial offices of the Belarusan media and the detention of journalists.
On September 11, the inaugural „Vilnius Consultations“ conference was organized by Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis and Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Not only does the "Union State" undermine the establishment of civilized relations with Europe, but it hinders the possibility of normal relations between Belarus and Russia.
Belarusan National Platform of the EaP CSF welcomes the dialogue process in the format of the EU-Belarus Coordination Group, the third round of which was held in Minsk on 3-4 April 2017.
The EaP CSF Steering Committee issued a statement on repressions against civil society activists and journalists in Belarus, in view of the demonstrations planned on 25 March 2017.
Belarusan President Lukashenko said on Tuesday a “fifth column” was plotting to overthrow him with the help of foreign-backed fighters, days before a planned street protest in Minsk against a new tax.
The Belarusian regime is not able to pursue a truly multi-vector policy, and the EU cannot decide what it needs in the region on the whole and from Belarus in particular.
He said Belarus would likely face economic tightening not only as a result of the coronavirus pandemic but also a Russian trade oil crisis that worsened this past winter.
In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.
It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.