At today’s extraordinary video meeting of EU foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu emphasised that the violent suppression of peaceful protests and political oppression of the opposition in Belarus are impermissible. The foreign minister also discussed the situation in Belarus with Nordic and Baltic (NB8) foreign ministers immediately before the meeting.
According to the foreign minister, the European Union should impose restrictive measures on those responsible for electoral fraud and human rights violations in Belarus.
The Belarusian diaspora has sent numerous requests for help to the international community, asking for measures to be imposed. “The people of Belarus deserve democracy, human rights and personal freedoms just as much as we do,” said Minister Reinsalu. There is convincing evidence of extensive forgery at polling stations.
The primary focus must be on the release of detainees, putting an end to the violence and supporting political dialogue in Belarus. The countries of the European Union must raise the issue of Belarus in various international organizations.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of assisting Belarusian civil society and supported Lithuania's proposal to establish an EU fund to support victims of repression in Belarus.
The foreign ministers also discussed the drilling activities of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean at the meeting. High Representative Josep Borrell also gave an overview of the situation in Venezuela and the activities of the European Union in mitigating the consequences of the tragic explosion in Beirut. Estonia announced yesterday, on 13 August, that it will support helping the victims of the explosion with 100,000 euros.
Photographs: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmQ1Z84j
Additional information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]
