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Cyprus is blocking EU sanctions on Belarus until it punishes Turkey as well

Nicosia wants to link sanctions on the Lukashenko regime to Ankara's activities in Mediterranean waters.

"Our credibility is in doubt," warned the union's foreign minister, whose leaders will meet again on Thursday.

Belarus's opposition leader called on them to "show courage" but failed to persuade them to reach a consensus

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• The European Union

• Cyprus

• Belarus

• Turkey

• Alexander Lukashenko

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Monday, 21 September 2020, 22:09

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In video: Belarusian protesters reveal police face (from Twitter)

EU foreign ministers have failed to reach an understanding today (Monday) on imposing sanctions on Belarus, partly due to a veto by Cyprus that wants to tie them to sanctions on Turkey.

Nicosia wants the bloc to punish Ankara for its energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of the island.

While the pro-democracy demonstrations in Belarus are in their seventh week, the union also disagrees over the identity of the officials to be punished.

The list includes about 40 people linked to election fraud and violence against the protesters, but some countries want to punish Lukashenko himself, while others prefer to act gradually to pressure him to open a dialogue with the opposition.

The President of Belarus has been in power for the past 26 years, and is known as Europe's last dictator.

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Asked Europe to show courage.

Svetlana Tykhanovskaya, today (Photo: Reuters)

"Despite the clear desire to adopt these sanctions, this was not possible because unanimous agreement was not reached as required," Union Foreign Minister Joseph Burrell told reporters after chairing the Foreign Ministers' meeting.

"Cyprus was lacking for unanimous consent."

Burrell said the EU's ability to formulate an agreed foreign policy among the 27 member states is at stake.

"If we can not do that, I fully understand that our credibility is in doubt," he said.

However, he noted that all ministers were united in their view not to accept the August 9 election results, which the Belarusian opposition claims were falsified in favor of ruler Alexander Lukashenko.

Brussels is demanding new elections, under the supervision of independent observers.

Burrell rejected claims made by Lukashenko and his main ally Russia about a "hidden agenda" and called on other countries not to intervene in Belarus.

More on Walla!

NEWS

Belarusian dictator to protesters: "There will be no revolution";

Sanctions are being considered in Europe

To the full article

"Our credibility is in doubt."

Joseph Burrell (Photo: AP)

Before the talks began, opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya called on the EU to show courage.

"We have been able to do a lot ourselves in the face of the situation, only thanks to the will of the Belarusian people, but now I understand that we need outside help," said Tikhanovskaya, who spoke English.

She has been in exile in Lithuania since the election, fearing for her life and the lives of her children.

The former teacher, whose supporters say she is the real winner of the election, has urged Europe not to provide financial assistance to the regime.

"It will only be used for violence, to kill Belarusian citizens," she said.

Ticho said the sanctions are very important "to our struggle".

She said that while she understands that some European countries are reluctant to impose sanctions on Lukashenko and senior government officials, "I ask you to be more courageous."

On Thursday, union leaders will meet in Brussels, trying to resolve the disputes.

Even before the Foreign Ministers' meeting today, Cyprus has made it clear that it expects the Union to act consistently in relation to its "fundamental values" violations.

In addition to its crisis with Turkey, Cyprus maintains close ties with Russia, which sees Belarus as a strategic area essential to preventing the spread of the EU and NATO to its borders. Lukashenko met this month with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who approved a $ 1.5 billion loan to Minsk.

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