The Netherlands can impose economic sanctions on Lukashenka

This statement was made by Dutch foreign minister Frans Timmermans.

He didn't rule out the possibility of imposing new economic sanctions on the Belarusian regime in case of human rights violations. Frans Timmermans said it during his official visit to Warsaw, Polskie Radio reports.

“We can apply economic sanctions if necessary. There is no unambiguous opinion on their effect among my European colleagues. I think the support of civil society in Belarus is not less important,” the minister answered the question if the Netherlands was ready to stop buying oil products from Belarus.

Frans Timmermans emphasised the necessity of supporting the independent media and European Humanities University.

The Netherlands is the biggest importer of Belarusian oil products. Trade turnover between Belarus and the Netherlands made 10% of the total trade volume in 2012.

The Belarusian opposition called on European countries several times asking to reduce oil products import and stop backing the regime.