Bulgaria monitoring situation in Belarus with concern, PM tells European Council
Bulgaria’s government is continuing to monitor the situation in Belarus with concern following the August 9 presidential election, Prime Minister Boiko Borissov said during an August 19 video conference meeting of the European Council.
Borissov said that the introduction of sanctions should be aimed at those responsible for the undemocratic approaches in Belarus, and not at the citizens who are going through many difficulties in this crisis period.
Bulgaria supports a comprehensive review of the European Union’s relations with Belarus, but the change in that country should come from its citizens, not from outside, Borissov said, according to the government press service.
He said
that the support that the EU has been providing to Belarus for years
is precisely in helping civil society and developing democratic
structures.
Borissov told his counterparts that the use of
violence against peaceful protesters is unacceptable and should not
be allowed. He also emphasised the importance of political dialogue
with the government and the opposition in order to avoid further
escalation of tensions.
All channels for dialogue must remain open, Borissov said.
After the European Council meeting, a list of conclusions from the meeting were released in the name of its president, Charles Michel.
These
conclusions said that the August 9 elections – in which Alexander
Lukashenko claimed victory, unleashing a violent crackdown on
protesters following the vote – “were neither free nor fair,
therefore we do not recognise the results”.
“The
people of Belarus have a right to determine their future. The members
of the European Council express their clear solidarity with the
people of Belarus in their desire to exercise their fundamental
democratic rights,” the statement said.
It said that the members of the European Council condemn the disproportionate and unacceptable violence displayed by the state authorities against peaceful protesters.
“Violence must be avoided and all those unlawfully detained must be immediately and unconditionally released. Civil society and opposition actors engaged in discussions of political transition must be protected from arbitrary arrests and violence. The EU expects a complete and transparent investigation into all alleged abuses.”
The EU will shortly impose sanctions against a substantial number of individuals responsible for violence, repression and the falsification of election results, the statement said.
(Photo of Borissov: government.bg)
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