Lifted sanctions against Makei signal Europe’s defeat: pundit
Political commentator Roman Yakovlevsky reckons Brussels is making concessions over the issue of political prisoners by suspending the sanctions.
The EU is hesitating and does not know what to do.
The Foreign Affairs Council lifted visa sanctions from Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Uladzimir Makei on June 24. It was done to facilitate diplomatic contacts between the EU and Belarus, the document says.
Raman Yakauleuski: "It looks like refusing from their old principal position. The EU used to stress that Makei was on the list as Makei, not as the Minister of Foreign Affairs [he was the head of the President’s Administration when the sanctions were imposed - Euroradio]. Yes, he became Minister of Foreign Affairs later. But he is still Makei! The EU’s decision would have been logical if it had followed the release of political prisoners. But it has not happened.”
Probably, the EU and the Belarusian government have reached some secret agreement we do not know about, Yakauleuski thinks. The suspension of the visa sanctions may also be connected with the meeting of Eastern Partnership Ministers planned to be held in Brussels in July.
Photo: svaboda.org
