Michel: the EU does not recognize the outcome of the elections in Belarus

2020-08-19T14:22:19.106Z

The EU believes that the presidential elections of 9 August in Belarus were neither free nor fair. This is the position expressed by the extraordinary European Council. "The future of Belarus must be decided by the Belarusian people and not in Brussels or Moscow. It is important from both capitals (Brussels and Moscow) to support the peaceful process of determining the future of Belarus" which must take place "within the Country". Thus the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, at the end of the extraordinary meeting on the situation in Belarus. "We want to avoid negative external interference," Michel added referring to his phone call yesterday with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. The European Union will impose individual sanctions on a considerable number of individuals responsible for repression or for rigging the electoral process, Michel added. "We will soon impose sanctions against a substantial number of individuals responsible for violence and pressures against President Lukashenko will be deliberated in the framework of this", explained the President of the European Council. Michel specified that, at that time, the political decision was taken, but then it will be up to the various committees in Europe to formally decide the sanctions, which will in any case be "targeted". "We have contacts with the US regarding the geopolitical situation in the region" of Eastern Europe, Michel later said, at the end of the extraordinary meeting on the situation in Belarus. "Today we speak with one voice to say: stop the violence, we do not accept the result of the elections and we ask for a peaceful trial", added the former Belgian premier. Von der Leyen: ready to support transition The EU "is ready to accompany the peaceful and democratic transition of power in Belarus". This was confirmed by the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at the end of the extraordinary EU summit: "We stand by the Belarusian people, who want fundamental freedoms and democracy". Von der Leyen announced that 53 million euros will arrive from the Commission to support the Belarusian people: of these, three million will be for the victims of repression and to support civil society, while the majority will be destined for the management of the coronavirus emergency.