Slovenia changed its mind about Chizh

The Foreign Ministry of Slovenia rejects charges that it tried to cross out Yury Chizh, a Belarusian businessman, from the black list of the EU.

“The Foreign Ministry rejects these charges and groundless. Human rights, respect to human rights and norms of the law are the key principles of the foreign policy of Slovenia,” said the director of the political department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Matej Marn in a video interview to Reuters agency.

Mr Marn stated that his country advocates the sanctions against the Belarusian enterprises which support the regime.

“Slovenia supports imposing the restrictive measures against the enterprises and businessmen who cooperate with the Belarusian regime. However, the full list of these enterprises should be prepared. We expect from the Council of Europe to consider and rubberstamp such a list in March.”

As Radio Svaboda informs, Mr. Marn explained why his country believes Yury Chizh should not be the only businessman against whom the sanctions would be imposed.

“If Belarus decides to release political prisoners and acquit them, and also allows the civil society to develop, then the European Union would make a step towards Belarus. As for the economic entities and businessmen, the key message should be the one made by Slovenia, they should be considered as a whole. He [Yury Chizh] is not the only one who supports the regime.”