MINSK, 8 September (BelTA) – For all intents and purposes the European Union stopped honoring its commitments within the framework of the readmission agreement with Belarus back in March, BelTA learned from Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anatoly Glaz on 8 September.
The official said: “It is not today's situation. It is a completely logical response of the Belarusian side.”
Belarus warned about its decision to suspend the readmission agreement with the European Union a long time ago after another package of sanctions against the country was enforced. Since the European Union curtails the relevant cooperation and stops financing border cooperation projects, Belarus had to respond adequately to the pressure of sanctions. The previously made decision is now being formalized, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained.
Anatoly Glaz noted: “In March the European Union suspended funding for an important project in the sphere of readmission. By doing so, the European Union essentially stopped honoring its commitments specified by the readmission agreement. Since April we've been suggesting the organization of consultations on these matters but no response has been given so far. In these conditions, certainly, at a certain stage we also decided to stop honoring commitments as part of this agreement.”
In his words, a number of provisions of the readmission agreement were supposed to come into force in 2022. The document stipulates the procedure for transferring, accepting, and returning the individuals, who violate terms of entry, stay, and residence. “Naturally now there will be no complications at the border because of that,” Anatoly Glaz pointed out.
Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei previously stated that the Belarusian side is ready for a dialogue on illegal migration with the European Union. But, in his words, the European Union categorically declines the invitation.
Vladimir Makei stressed that European Union member states refuse to honor their international commitments concerning migration. “We see it absolutely and we will naturally talk about it on all the international platforms,” he said. “But we are ready for a dialogue. We believe that a solution to any issue, including those relating to the current border situation, can be found only within the framework of a calm, mutually respectful dialogue without making artificial claims, without threats and blackmail.”
BelTA reported earlier that Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has decided in favor of bringing a bill on suspending the agreement between the Republic of Belarus and the European Union on the readmission of individuals, who stay without permission, into the House of Representatives of the National Assembly. The document was prepared by the government in response to unfriendly actions of the European Union and its member states towards Belarus.
Belarus' decision is compliant with international law. The agreement stipulates that each side can partially or fully suspend the agreement temporarily by officially notifying the other side.
