Conflict with Belarus: Von der Leyen threatens airlines with blacklisting aid for smugglers

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EU Commission President von der Leyen

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CHRISTIAN HARTMANN / POOL / EPA

The EU Commission wants companies that help Belarus transport migrants to Minsk to be blacklisted in the future, making them easier to sanction.

That said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at an appearance in the EU Parliament.

"In its strategy, Belarus is specifically relying on the complicity of tour operators and their middlemen," said von der Leyen.

There are specialized travel agencies that offer everything from visas to flights and hotels to taxis to the border.

"That is why we propose a black list for all modes of transport and modes of transport on the basis of the international agreements on human trafficking and human smuggling."

The legislative proposal had been submitted to the European Parliament and the member states.

According to the responsible commissioner Margaritis Schinas, imitators of the Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko and their helpers could also be prosecuted.

The proposal was a clear message to anyone "considering participating in such activities," he said.

Lukashenko systematically built up the route

The EU accuses the Belarusian dictator of specifically flying people from the Middle East to Minsk and sending them to the Polish border in order to put the EU under pressure.

Research by SPIEGEL recently revealed how Lukashenko's smuggling system works in detail.

Documents show that his regime systematically built the Belarus route.

The state-owned Zentrkurort began issuing dozens of tourist visas to Iraqis in May.

The company is subordinate to Lukashenko's presidential administration.

A little later, the visa business was gradually transferred to private companies.

In the past few days, the EU has exerted targeted pressure on countries such as Turkey and Iraq, from which most of the people seeking protection travel to Minsk.

Turkey then decided not to allow citizens of several Arab countries to fly to Belarus from its national territory.

The private Syrian airline Cham Wings suspended its connections to Minsk.

Belarusian airline Belavia should no longer be allowed to lease aircraft

On Tuesday, EU Council President Charles Michel specified details of a new package of sanctions against Belarus, which the foreign ministers of the member states had launched a good week ago.

According to Michel, the Belarusian airline Belavia will no longer be allowed to lease aircraft from airlines in the EU.

Previously, there had been a debate in Brussels about whether the EU should also terminate existing contracts with Belavia.

more on the subject

• Access to asylum procedures: Europe is about to abolish refugee protectionA comment by Steffen Lüdke

• Humanitarian crisis on the Polish eastern border: Krystyna patrols the fence armed, Maciej supplies refugees with food Steffen Lüdke and Lina Verschwele report from Podlasie

• Refugees in Belarus at the border: "Is there finally good news from Germany?" Christina Hebel reports from Bruzgi on the Belarusian-Polish border

• So far unknown details about the despot's network: This is how Lukashenko's perfidious people smuggling works

The acceptance of the sanctions list is "imminent," stressed Michel.

The new punitive measures are intended to affect airlines, travel agencies and other responsible parties involved in smuggling through Belarus.

The list of those affected could be officially adopted in the coming week.

Polish Prime Minister: Fewer migrants are coming to Belarus

EU pressure seems to be working.

Several countries are now organizing return flights via Minsk Airport for those nationals who no longer want to stay in Belarus.

118 people left the country on Monday via the capital's airport in Minsk, a representative of the Belarusian Interior Ministry said on Tuesday, according to the state news agency Belta.

Another group should follow on Tuesday.

"Our diplomatic offensive is having an effect," said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Tuesday.

The influx of migrants into Belarus is much lower than at the peak about a month ago.

Nevertheless, Poland and its neighboring countries should benefit even more than before from European taxpayers' money.

Von der Leyen announced in her speech that he would triple the current aid for border management for the participating EU countries Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

In the EU budget until the end of 2027, a total of 6.4 billion euros would be available for border management.

The EU finances surveillance technology, patrol vehicles, equipment for border officers and the establishment of border crossings.

slü / dpa / AFP