MINSK, 13 December (BelTA) – If refugees want to stay in Belarus, the government will act strictly within the letter of the law. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement in a recent interview with the Turkish television and radio company TRT, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I didn't say they can stay in Belarus. If they want to stay in Belarus, we will work with them strictly according to the law.”
He stressed: “We will do everything the way they want. Those are poor and destitute people, who flee the war. They truly have no homes back in the native country. This is why we are going to do everything the way they want.”
The head of state noted that even during phone conversations with the former chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel he promised that the Belarusian side would try to convince the people to go back to their native country if someone wanted to.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We honor this promise. We've convinced several thousand refugees to go back to the native countries. This is why we are fulfilling what I've promised. The European Union, which has to take at least 2,000 people: families with kids who are now staying in this improvised camp haven't moved a centimeter. This is why if the people refuse to go to Europe, we are going to convince them to return to the native countries. If they suggest some other options, if they want to stay in Belarus, we have the law, and we will act in strict accordance with the law.”
