Makei is blackmailing the EU by «list of banned»

The Foreign Minister said that Belarus and the European Union will not be able to normalize relations without the abolition of the «black list».

Uladzimir Makei said about it in the interview for RIA «Novosti».

«We are neighbors with the European Union. As our president said, neighbors are destined to live in peace, friendship and accord. We are ready for that. However, we want to be treated in a decent and respectful way, with no pressure and sanctions. We are ready to maintain friendly relations as equal partners», the Foreign Minister said.

When asked if the Belarus-EU crisis has reached its bottom, Makei said: «I have told my European partners and opponents that we have indeed got into the situation when any further sanctions on the part of the European Union will not result in any significant change in the status quo in our relations».

According to him, the situation with democracy and human rights in Belarus is similar to that in many other countries that are members of the Council of Europe and with which the EU maintains good relations. «The situation in Belarus is even better. We ask our European partners why they use different approaches. It is not acceptable in international relations. This is what we call sheer and obvious double standards», Makei said.

«We are ready to normalize our relations with the European Union and individual members of the EU. We are ready to engage in a dialogue. However, the dialogue should be maintained by those who make decisions and implement them. We are ready for a respectful and equitable dialogue», the Foreign Minister said.

Makei also answered a question about him being in the travel ban list of the EU and the USA. «Whether you are in the list is of secondary importance. However, I would like to say that these lists are totally absurd», he said.

The Foreign Minister noted that this list includes not only officials who are believed to be responsible for the actions of the government, but also journalists, representatives of election commissions of all levels and even judges.

«I view this list as a mixture of absurdities and allegations. It is clear that we will make little headway unless this problem is removed from the agenda of our relations», he said.

«We would like to have equal and friendly relations with all our partners in the east, west, north and south. We want respect; we do not want to be demonized like it is happening now. Therefore, we are in favor of a decent dialogue based on mutual respect. We believe that good relations with the EU could help Belarus remain an island of stability in Europe that does not make any problems for others», Makei said.