Belarus suspends its participation in the European Union (EU) Eastern Partnership initiative, the country’s foreign ministry said on Monday.
The ministry also said it was launching a procedure to suspend the readmission agreement with the EU.
“We are unable to fulfill our obligations under this agreement in the face of EU sanctions and restrictions. We deeply regret that the forced suspension of the agreement will adversely affect cooperation with the EU in the fight against illegal immigration and organized crime,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry has also issued a statement on the response to EU sanctions.
“Due to the unprecedented restrictive measures against Belarus”, the head of the EU mission Dirk Shubel was summoned to the Foreign Ministry today, the ministry said. “The diplomat was provided with information on concrete steps in the forced response to actions that threaten Belarus’ national security and cause direct damage to its economy and citizens.”
A representative of Belarus to the EU has been invited to Minsk for consultations, and the Head of the EU Representation in Minsk has also been advised to go to Brussels for consultations.
“In addition, in response, Belarus will be banned from entering European bodies and individuals from EU countries who facilitated the introduction of restrictive measures,” the ministry said.
The Belarusian side continues to develop other response measures, including of an economic nature, the ministry said.
“We hope that the officials of the EU and its member states are aware of the dangers and lack of perspective on decisions on the use of force in relations with Belarus,” the ministry said in a statement. “The proposals of the Belarusian side on the development of dialogue and cooperation with the EU on the basis of the principles of equality and mutual respect remain valid.”
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