Makei to be allowed entry to EU?

The European Union may lift visa restrictions from the Belarusian MFA head.

This statement was made by Jerzy Pomianowski, the Undersecretary of State at the Polish MFA, Polskie Radio reports.

He stressed that the position of the European Union on the Belarusian regime remained firm: first steps, including the release of political prisoners, should be made by official Minsk. Asked if such negotiations were under way, the official answered: “Maybe”.

Jerzy Pomianowski noted that the EU may lift visa restrictions only from Uladzimir Makei.

“This gesture for Makei is possible in order to talk to him in the European Union. It is important to maintain the minimum communication necessary for relations with any country,” the Undersecretary of State of the Polish MFA said.

Jerzy Pomianowski said that official Minsk could not count on financial aid from Europe so far. According to him, the position of the European Union on the issue is clear and financial institutions are not going to grant loans to the Belarusian authorities. The reason are political prisoners and IMF's negative assessment of the Belarusian economic situation.

It should be reminded that Uladzimir Makei is among 200 Belarusian officials and oligarchs subject to the EU sanctions for the crackdown on the Belarusian opposition and civil society.