The Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition is distancing itself from EU funding



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“We are clearly concerned, for example, by the statement made yesterday by the European Union that 53 million euros will be allocated to the Coordination Council. [eurų] and that we will divide them. This moment is very strange, we learned about it from the media … We were very surprised. It is precisely these statements by the European Union that benefit Lukashenko, “Kalesnikava told Russian radio Echo Moskvy.

He expressed the hope that the representatives of the Community would clarify this situation. “Because it is definitely a trap for us,” said the opponent.

“We are being prosecuted; We are told about interference from other countries and suddenly the EU tells us: we will give you 53 million. Of course, we never ask for them and we won’t have any business, “said Ms Kalesnikova.

During an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on Thursday, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Development Oliver Varhelyi told reporters that “the EU will mobilize 53 million euros. Aid to the people of Belarus.”

“We are willing to consider to accelerate this further and make sure the funds reach the people. [galimybę] included in these funds [skirstymo] implementation of the National Coordination Council. That is the message that I am sending today to the foreign ministers, and I hope we can agree on that, “he added.

The EU commissioner said that these funds could be raised “very, very quickly” and that “some of these funds are already available to others. [surinkti] it will take a little longer. “

Earlier, Urzula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, also said that the Community was preparing to provide material assistance for the peaceful transfer of power in Belarus and that funds would be provided for the needs of the country’s population.

“It is important that the funds are no longer allocated to the government and that the most vulnerable people and civil society have access to them,” von der Leyen said at a press conference after a meeting of the heads of community diplomacy on Belarus. .

“The European Commission is mobilizing an additional 53 million euros. To support the people of Belarus in these extremely difficult times,” he added, noting that 1 million euros is intended to help “victims of repression and unacceptable state violence.” ; € 50 million to support civil society and independent media; EUR for the country’s health sector in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, small and medium-sized enterprises, vulnerable groups and social services.

European Council President Charles Michel, for his part, said the EU would soon impose sanctions on Belarusian officials responsible for human rights abuses and electoral fraud.

Belarus has been holding massive protests for more than a week against the results of the presidential elections on August 9. The current president, Lukashenko, who has held office since 1994, was officially declared the winner of the elections. According to figures approved by the CRC, Lukashenko received 80.1 percent, and his main rival, Sviatlana Cichanouskaya, received 10.12 percent. votes.

The opposition claims that the results have been falsified, with massive protests in the country that continue to this day. The militia brutally cracked down on the protests, arresting nearly 7,000 protesters in the first four days, injuring hundreds with rubber bullets, sound grenades and rubber sticks.

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