07/07/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 7 July, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service denounced the order given by the Belarusian authorities to the head of mission of the Lithuanian embassy in Minsk and the consul general in Hrodna to leave the country before 11 July, “drastically limiting Vilnius’ diplomatic presence in the country” (see EUROPE 12574/23). According to the spokesperson, by reducing the consular staff of the EU Member States’ diplomatic missions, the regime is limiting the opportunities for Belarusians to travel to the EU. “Keeping diplomatic channels of communication open in times of difficulty is crucial”, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson, on behalf of the EU, called on the Belarusian authorities to allow the full presence of diplomatic missions from the EU and its Member States in order “to allow diplomacy to work”. (CG)