Ashton: It's sad that Belarus did not respond to suggestion on cooperation

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU countries will discuss whether it is possible to take a decision on our country today, at 3 p.m. Spokesperson of the Council of the EU Susanne Kiefer has informed this to Euroradio.

Also, before the meeting of the foreign ministers, head of the EU's diplomatic service for foreign policy Catherine Ashton has promised to the journalists that the Belarusian issue will be considered during the day although it is not on the agenda.

Catherine Ashton: "The situation in Belarus makes us deeply concerned, when we think about what is happening there to the persons, the people who are in prisons. It is very sad for me to say that Belarus couldn't respond to the offer of really strong and essential cooperation with the EU, bot economic and political. We continue sending our very strong message and we still consider the situation in Belarus unacceptable. Today we'll have another opportunity to decide what to do with it".

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Carl Bildt: We will look weak without sharp sanctions

Head of the Swedish MFA Carl Bildt also recalled the Belarusian issue when he arrived to the meeting of the EU's countries' foreign ministers in Brussels.
According to him, discussions in COREPER go on.

Carl Bildt: "Repressions in Belarus are getting more severe, and we want to sharpen our means as well. Our words will look weak without sharp sanctions. Sharp sanctions are absolutely necessary. If we do not approve sanctions now, we can take a decision next month as well".

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According to non-official information, the EU's countries may reach agreement on expanding the Belarusian "black list". According to the information provided by RIA Novosti, policemen and judges, "responsible for arrests and convictions of the regime's opponents" - 21 people - will be added to it. Also, several Belarusian companies will get under the sanctions.