[ad_1]
The EU has drawn up a list of some 40 people who want to be punished for their role in falsifying the results of the presidential elections on August 9 in Belarus and the repression of the protests that followed.
However, the EU measures require the support of all 27 member states, and Nicosia has refused to support them, arguing that the EU should also impose sanctions on Turkey for exploring gas fields in Cypriot waters.
Cyprus’ position has been criticized by some EU countries, who say it amounts to defending Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenko. Delays in reaching an agreement have hampered the West’s coordinated plans of action.
George Kent, the second undersecretary of state for European affairs, said Washington had spoken to Cyprus and urged him to change his mind.
“We urge you to contribute to the consensus by allowing the EU to move forward with a coherent approach towards like-minded countries,” Kent said during a visit to Brussels.
The deadlock in Monday’s meeting of EU foreign ministers has not been resolved and the issue will now be discussed by the Heads of State and Government meeting in Brussels next week.
Washington is ready to announce sanctions, but hopes to coordinate with the EU.
“The initial plan was to try to announce something in parallel this week. We are waiting for clarity from European leaders: if they can make a decision, “Kent said.
He had come to Brussels to meet EU officials and diplomats and discuss the crisis in Belarus, where unprecedented mass protests are taking place against Lukashenko, who is called “the last dictator of Europe”.
Unlike the EU, which lifted most of its sanctions on Belarus in 2016, including the sanctions on Lukashenko, the United States has left some of its measures in place.
It is not allowed to publish, quote or reproduce the information of the BNS news agency in the media and on websites without the written consent of the UAB “BNS”.
[ad_2]
