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The discussion on new sanctions for Belarusian citizens and companies that contributed to the migration crisis in Lithuania should be born in the European Union in the near future, G. Landsbergis said during a press conference in Medininkai on Tuesday.
Sigismund Gedvila / 15 minute photo / Gabrielius Landsbergis
“We need to send a clear signal not only to Belarus, but also to any dictator who decides to use such an instrument against the European Union, or any of its states, that it will not only fail, it will recover.” One of the answers is sanctions.
“We have provided the European External Action Service with a list of companies, people who, in our opinion, are involved in illegal migratory flows, and as soon as the institutions return from their permission, it will be possible to start a debate against these people and institutions, “he said.
On Tuesday, G. Landsbergis and the Minister of the Interior, Agnė Bilotaitė, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, and the Minister of the Interior of Austria, Karl Nehammer, who are visiting Lithuania.
A. Schallenberg: Behaving cynically
Speaking about sanctions against the Belarusian regime, A. Schallenberg seconded G.Landsbergis, saying that the European Union must approve new ones to handle the migration crisis.
“Those responsible for the illegal migration from Belarus to the European Union through Lithuania should be subject to severe sanctions,” he said.
According to the Austrian Foreign Minister, the Belarusian regime has cynically exploited migrants.
“Cynically using migrants and weaponizing them is Lukashenko’s cynical behavior. And it is clear to all that we, as states of the European Union, must speak in a uniform and unambiguous language,” said A. Schallenberg, adding that The European Union must not only protect its external borders, but also cooperate with migrants’ countries of origin.
Austria was one of the first countries to help Lithuania, which faced an influx of migrants, sending officials, providing technical assistance and modular containers, Gandsberg said.
According to him, this happened after his conversation in Brussels with the Austrian Foreign Minister.
Believes that EU migration policy must change
Now, according to the minister, the most important thing is that the migration policy of the European Union changes.
“Obviously, the instruments that are offered are not always adequate and appropriate. We agree that together we will strive to develop a European migration policy that helps protect both Lithuania and other countries that will undoubtedly face similar crises in the future, ”said G. Landsbergis.
The Lithuanian Interior Minister also agreed that migration policy must change.
The parties must be able to react quickly and defend their national security.
“It just came to our attention then. One problem is the changes in the European Union legal framework on migration.
The parties must be able to react quickly and defend their national security. Because currently illegal migration is used as a hybrid attack tool against member states ”, taught A. Bilotaitė.
She is also convinced that the European Union should contribute financially to Lithuania by building a fence on the Belarusian border.
“The second is the physical barrier. Yesterday (Monday – 15min) The Lithuanian government has decided to build a physical barrier. It is very important that we can expect financial support from the European Union to build this physical barrier, ”said the Minister.
Mr Nehammer lacks the efforts of the EC
Austrian Interior Minister K. Nehammer stated that Lithuania and Austria, as strategic partners, should try to draw the attention of the European Commission to the places where help is needed.
“Because the commission is thinking more about how to invest in the construction of country houses, but it is not thinking about how to protect the border,” he added.
Photo by Valdas Kopūstas / 15 minute photo / Austrian support presented at the Padvarioniai firebreak: modular shelter for refugees
According to the minister, Europe should not talk about a flight ban, but should take care of strong border protection, try to process asylum applications quickly and quickly return illegal border crossings to their countries of origin.
The Austrian government will assist Lithuania in the European Commission when it comes to financial assistance to build the barrier.
“The Austrian government will help Lithuania in the European Commission when it comes to financial assistance to build the barrier. I cannot understand why the European Commission does not understand that it is not only important to deal with illegal immigrants, but that it is very important to deal with financial assistance to build a physical barrier, ”said K. Nehammer.
Medininkai press conference:
VIDEO: Austrian Foreign Minister: Turning migrants into weapons is Lukashenko’s cynical behavior
On Tuesday, the Lithuanian and Austrian delegations visited the Padvarionys firebreak, a border section and a migrant camp established on the territory of the Medininkai Border Guard School.
This year, more than 4.1 thousand people have already entered Lithuania through the border with Belarus. migrants, writes BNS.
Lithuanian officials call the increased migration flows a hybrid aggression by the Belarusian regime. As a result, a state of emergency has been declared in the country and it is planned to build a fence on the 508 km stretch of the Belarusian border every year.
A decision has also been made to turn around people trying to cross the border illegally, which has significantly reduced the flow of people.
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