EU suspends sanctions against Belarus

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union suspended the bulk of its sanctions against Belarus, including an asset freeze and a travel ban on longtime President Alexander Lukashenko, in the bloc’s biggest push yet to improve ties with the Minsk government, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The decision, which was widely expected, follows this month’s elections in Belarus and recent decisions by authorities to release a number of political prisoners.

The EU’s move builds on hopes that Lukashenko is seeking closer ties with Western countries to balance the leverage Russia has in Minsk.

However, some diplomats believe the EU is rewarding the Belarus regime prematurely and that neither Lukashenko’s human rights record nor his foreign policy approach is likely to shift significantly over time.

In total, the EU will suspend sanctions on 170 people and three entities for four months. The decision will take effect Saturday, October 31. If the sanctions aren't reimposed at the end of the period by all 28 member states, the sanctions will be completely dropped. The EU is keeping in effect its arms ban and its prohibition on the exporting of equipment for internal repression to Belarus. It is also maintaining the asset freeze and travel ban against four people the EU believes are linked to Belarusian security services suspected of involvement in the disappearance of opposition figures.

Following an EU court ruling earlier this month striking down sanctions on Belarusian businessman Yury Chizh and companies linked with him, Thursday’s move means that if the sanctions aren't restored after four months, no Belarus companies or other entities will be under an EU asset freeze.

The EU has been exploring improved ties with Belarus for months and there were tentative signs of a thaw after Lukashenko, who has ruled for two decades, distanced himself from Moscow over Russia’s intervention in Ukraine. Lukashenko earlier this year hosted peace talks between EU leaders and the president of Ukraine and Russia.

However, Lukashenko remains reliant on Russia for political and economic support.