The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called on Member States on Monday evening to consider a new package of sanctions against the Belarusian regime, but also against third country airlines that are also allegedly involved in what the Commission calls a hybrid attack against the EU.
“Belarus must stop endangering the lives of its citizens. The instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes by Belarus is unacceptable”, commented the President.
Member States’ ambassadors will discuss the new sanctions package on Wednesday 10 November and EU Foreign Ministers will discuss it on 15 November. The regime of Alexander Lukashenko is already subject to targeted sanctions (166 individuals and 14 entities), sectoral sanctions, and the airline Belavia could still be affected by measures reducing its scope of activity (see EUROPE 12814/1).
The Commission also indicated in more detail on Tuesday 9 November that it would contact 12 third countries more actively and monitor a further 20. The 12 countries include Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Georgia, Guinea, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkey.
The 20 countries under surveillance are Algeria, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Côte d’Ivoire, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Yemen.
Commission Vice-President Margarítis Schinás has been asked by the President to travel to key third countries to discuss ways of countering these arrivals by air and the possibilities of repatriating these people to their countries of origin.
According to the Commission, on Tuesday there were almost 2,000 people stationed at the Polish-Belarusian border, compared to reports of hundreds the day before (see EUROPE 12828/6).
Fearing also a humanitarian crisis with people left destitute and in the cold, the Commission reiterated its offer of assistance to Poland, through Frontex or EASO missions, but also through financial aid. “35 million has been released for Lithuania”, said Dana Spinant, the institution’s spokesperson, confirming that Poland has not yet submitted an application.
Visa facilitation
In addition, on 9 November, the EU Council adopted sanctions on the visa facilitation regime for Belarusian officials, a measure that had been requested after the summer and the first arrivals of people at Lithuania’s borders.
MEPs from the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, meanwhile, discussed the situation on the border with Belarus in an exchange with Commissioner Ylva Johansson (see related article). (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)