[ad_1]
“The EU foreign ministers have just agreed to continue working on a third package of sanctions against Belarus. It will probably be ready by the end of November or early December and will cover both individuals and organizations,” wrote the RFE / journalist. RL Rikard Jozwiak on Twitter.
The news that foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Belarus and possible new sanctions on Minsk in an informal video conference on Thursday was previously reported to journalists by a senior EU official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to him, Alexander Lukashenko refuses to engage in a constructive dialogue with the public and the situation in Belarus has only recently deteriorated.
The official stressed that the demonstrations and government repression against the peaceful protest movement continued in the country, with the death of a young protester beaten by security forces last week.
“We are open to proposals from member states for new sanctions. Proposals for individuals and companies have already been submitted,” the source said.
Another diplomatic source told the Interfax news agency that there would be no formal decision on the announcement of new sanctions during an informal video conference on Thursday. However, ministers can develop a common political position on the extension of sanctions before a subsequent formal approval procedure.
For the fourth consecutive month, Belarus has been plagued by massive protests over the August 9 presidential election, which Lukashenko has ruled the country since 1994. The opposition and Western democracies consider these elections rigged.
The EU is already sanctioning more than 50 Minsk regime officials, including Mr. Lukashenko, for electoral fraud and violence against protesters.
[ad_2]
