MP Adam Lipinski: “sanctions against Lukashenka’s regime shouldn’t be lifted”

“Poland’s policy towards Belarus remains unchanged, there will be no talks with Lukashenka and all our initiatives are aimed only at common people,” Polish politicians responded in an interview to Polskie Radio to a statement of Andrei Sannikov, one of the leaders of the “Civil Belarus” civil campaign, in which he accuses the Poland’s government of treachery of Solidarity movement’s ideals.

We remind that statement of Sannikov has appeared on Charter’97 website, where he criticised harshly actions of the Polish diplomats, who allegedly had recognised legimacy of Lukashenka’s regime.

Sannikov referred to the information of a Russian newspaper, which states the Polish diplomats in Brussels tried to persuade their EU colleagues to ease political and economic sanctions on Belarus. The Polish press also writes about certain signs of watering-down of the Polish policy towards Lukashenka’s regime. “Dziennik” daily has reported this week about scheduled meeting in Brest between deputy minister of internal affaires of Poland with his Belarusian colleagues. Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affaires of Poland will also be on the Polish delegation.

As Polskie Radio has learnt from the foreign policy institution of Poland, the bilateral meeting in Brest won’t have political character. Projects, aimed at improving ties between the Polish and the Belarusians, will be discussed at the meeting.

MFA Press Spokesman Piotr Paszkowski says:

“There are no changes in the Poland’s policy towards Belarus. The position of our government is known and it won’t be changed significantly. Indeed, the Polish party is more interested in talks on expert groups level, who are able to settle plenty of practical matters. First of all, we speak here about trans-border communication, environmental protection, unification of some legal norms. The Polish MFA is working out a number of concrete offers to Belarus in the frames of Eastern Neighbourhood programme. These offers won’t have political character, they will be able to affect positively the life of Belarusian people. in particular, they will include construction of new border crossing points, agreement on trans-border communication, infrastructure creating. We really have many problems, which solving will help common Belarusians.”

Adam Lipinski, member of the Party of Law and Justice, member of Polish Sejm, thinks talks between officials can be conducted only after certain steps of the Belarusian government:

“There are certain sign, showing Poland is changing its policy towards Belarus. In my view, it is a very negative thing. Our Law and Justice Party is sure until Lukashenka’s regime sets to democratisation, until negotiations with the opposition are not held, policy of the previous parliament shouldn’t be changed, sanctions shouldn’t be lifted. I am surprised to hear Polish governmental officials will meet with Belarusian officials. It won’t influence Lukashenka’s regime, on the contrary, it will evoke more severe repression against the opposition. Both from political and moral point of view, our partner must be the opposition and the people, who fight for human rights, democratic reforms, for all the things, the Solidarity movement struggled for. It will be bad, if Poland leaves this way.”

Is Andrei Sannikov right to say that Poland has apostatized ideals of the Solidarity movement? Polskie radio asked Janusz Onyszkiewicz, vice-president of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, participant of the Solidarity movement, to comment on the words of the Belarusian politician:

“These are very sharp words. I think the Polish government serves these ideals, but in other way, using other means. Personally I am sure these instruments are n t vain. Any step forward the authorities, even on such low and insignificant level as in Brest, should take place only after steps of Lukashenka. Unfortunately, there are no such steps so far.”

Janusz Onyszkiewicz assures none of the members of the ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe), the politician belongs to, will never support lifting of sanctions against Belarus:

“Unfortunately, this tendency can be observed in Europe. A disappointing example of lifting the sanctions against Cuba proves it. It is the so called real policy, when steps are made towards a dictator regime, which is expected to respond. Usually, this strategy doesn’t work, so the order should be changed. I hope Europe and Poland will do so.”

Jacek Protasiewicz, chairman of the Delegation of the European Parliament for Relations with Belarus, was surprised to learn the words of Andrei Sannikov. The member of the European Parliament, member of the ruling Polish party Civic Platform, says there were no changes in the Polish policy towards Belarus:

“There are no talks about changes in the policy of Europe and Poland towards Belarus ahead of the parliamentary elections. The changes for the better will only be possible if the autumn parliamentary elections are not falsified. More active work between Poland and Belarus, even at the level of ministers, doesn’t mean the Polish policy has changed. It is final stage of work on visa-free regime for border regions dwellers. Due to it the Belarusians can visit Poland more often. In no case should it mean recognisance of Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s policy as we see it now. “

The European Union has imposed sanctions against Belarusian officials, participating in repressions against the independent society, and cancelled trade preferences for some Belarusian enterprises. In the first case ban for entry the EU for the officials was initiated and supported by Polish MEPs. What concerns cancelling of trade preferences, Poland stood against imposing of economic sanctions against Belarus.

Milinkevich suggests plan of cooperation with Belarus to Europev

Alyaksandr Milinkevich put forward an initiative of a stepped strategy with the aim of establishing cooperation between Belarus and the EU at an international conference dedicated to the European Neighbourhood Policy. The conference Common Approach to Neighbours, dedicated European Neighbourhood Policy, took place in Natolin near Warsaw.

The leader of the “For Freedom” movement called on the representatives of the European countries not to impose economic sanctions against Belarus:

“If the European Union follows the example of the United States and imposes harsh economic sanctions, the power in Belarus can change as a result of a total economic crisis. But in this case we can lose our independence, because Russia will use this situation.

When I fight for changes in the country and advise our neighbours how relations with Belarus should be built, I think about development of our country first of all and extension of freedom there. However, we shouldn’t forget it is possible to ruin the country while combating the dictatorship. Policy towards Belarus needs more prudence.”