Morawiecki – as reported by the source – expressed disappointment that after two months the EU was not able to remedy the situation and adopt targeted sanctions. According to the head of the Polish government, inaction undermines the credibility of the EU and works to the advantage of Russia.
Ultimatum for Lukashenka
The Prime Minister emphasized that EU leaders must agree on sanctions against Belarus on Thursday and order the EU Council to adopt an appropriate legal act.
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Among the next steps against Belarus, Morawiecki mentioned moving to further sanctions, expressing readiness to impose sanctions on Alyaksandr Lukashenka if he does not free political prisoners, and considering economic sanctions against entities “directly supporting Lukashenka’s regime”. The head of the Polish government was to declare Poland’s readiness to work quickly and decisively on all the above-mentioned steps.
A plan for a democratic Belarus
According to the PAP source, Morawiecki emphasized in his speech that in addition to sanctions, a positive offer for Belarusian society should be prepared. He recalled the activities of the Eastern Partnership and the steps taken so far by Poland towards Belarusians, including visa facilitation, educational programs, supporting non-governmental organizations and independent media.
According to the prime minister, the next stage should be “an economic plan for a democratic Belarus”. It assumes, inter alia, ensuring a stabilization package with the participation of the EU and the International Monetary Fund, which would help to normalize the financial situation in Belarus, increase economic security and independence through long-term investments in infrastructure with the active involvement of e.g. EBRD, EIB and World Bank.
The presented plan developed by the V4 countries also included the start of negotiations on a new, tailored framework cooperation agreement containing economic issues, assistance in ensuring energy security in Belarus through short-term supplies of energy resources and long-term infrastructure investments, preparation of aid for sectoral reforms with OECD involvement. , The World Bank, the EBRD and the EIB.
Morawiecki on the attempt to poison Navalny
Morawiecki called on EU leaders to support the plan and the European Commission to estimate its costs. According to the head of the Polish government, the EU cannot ignore the situation in which a strong civil society opposes the weakening regime of Lukashenka, while at the same time lacking Russia’s greater financial involvement.
The head of the Polish government, speaking about the attempted murder of the Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny with the chemical warfare, Novichok, emphasized that this must be met with an appropriate response from the international community. According to the PAP source, the prime minister stated that there are no circumstances that would justify the use of chemical weapons, it is unacceptable and constitutes a gross violation of international law.
Morawiecki called for an international investigation into a possible violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention by Russia and supported all actions and efforts by Germany so far in this context.
Defining priorities instead of finding new forms of dialogue
According to the head of the Polish government, instead of looking for new forms of dialogue with Russia, the EU’s priorities in relations with this country should be clearly defined.
Morawiecki said that the EU should be ready to react decisively to Russia’s actions and not hesitate to “strong, directional sanctions” not only against the perpetrators of the attack on Navalny, but also against their political principals.
The head of the Polish government assessed that the situation of civil society in Russia is deteriorating year by year, the law is being tightened up and non-governmental organizations are being forced out. According to Morawiecki, the EU must intensify its efforts to strengthen Russian civil society, and human rights should be at the heart of any project of political contacts with Moscow.
Morawiecki on Russia as an EU partner
According to Morawiecki, Russia cannot be considered a reliable partner of Europe, and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has cost the Old Continent “too much”. According to a PAP source, the head of the Polish government was supposed to consider Nord Stream 2 as contradictory to the goals of the energy union and the EU’s global strategy, and stressed the need to make Europe independent of Russian gas supplies, which provide Russia with a financial impulse and additional revenues. He also appealed for the resignation of NS2.
On October 1, EU leaders talked, inter alia, about the attempted murder of Navalny and the current situation in Belarus. The talks also included Turkey’s dispute with Greece and Cyprus over illegal drilling in territories recognized by Greece and Cyprus as under their jurisdiction.
The first day of the rush. What has been established regarding Belarus?
The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, announced after the end of the first day of the EU summit that the leaders of the member states decided to implement sanctions against representatives of the Belarusian regime. A formal decision on the matter is to be taken on Friday by written procedure.
– We decided today to implement sanctions […]. This is very important, it is a clear signal that we send. We are credible, Michel said at a press conference. As he pointed out on the sanctions list, there were the names of about 40 people. – Lukashenka is not on the sanctions list, but we will be looking at the situation – he added.
Position on Russia and the poisoning attempt of Navalny
As the head of the European Council said, the leaders also condemned the use of chemical weapons against Alexei Navalny and considered the attack on the opposition to be a violation of human rights and international law. – We call on Russia to investigate this matter. We will come back to this issue at the next EU summit, Michel said.
Strategy towards Turkey
On Turkey, the EU will adopt a twin-track strategy. It will allow for a political dialogue that offers opportunities for greater stability, while firmly pointing to its principles and unequivocally supporting Greece and Cyprus.
– We are ready to engage in more positive cooperation with Turkey, provided that the country shows positive commitment to us and completes activities that are contrary to international law. This is a request from Cyprus, said Michel.
He recalled that in recent weeks tensions have increased in the eastern Mediterranean. Last year, Turkey began drilling for oil and gas in the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus, despite warnings from the EU. During the summer tensions escalated, culminating in a collision between a Greek warship and a Turkish warship.
(PAP)
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