Estonian MFA: Economic sanctions should have the greatest effect on Lukashenko

Ambassador and Representative to the Political and Security Committee Harri Tiido stated that the new packet of sanctions is more influential than previous ones.

Harri Tiido, who represented Estonia at the meeting in Brussels on March 23, said that economic sanctions should have the greatest effect on Lukashenko’s regime, although we do not yet know how Belarus will react and an analysis of the effect should be done.

"The European Union must continue with its critical policies in terms of Belarus while also supporting democratic forces," Tiido noted.

The criminal activity of the Lukashenko regime is disappointing to the European Union, and the worsening situation in Belarus is cause for concern. Estonia feels it is very important to support communication among people and good contacts with the civil society of Belarus, which would be facilitated by visa facilitation measures for citizens of Belarus.

"That would send them a positive message from the European Union," said Ambassador Tiido. Estonia, like many other EU member states, has waived the visa fees for visas to Estonia in a show of support for Belarusian citizens.