EU sanctions on Makei suspended

The minister of foreign affairs of Belarus has been removed from the EU black list.

The decision was taken today at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxemburg.

The press service of the EU Council reports that the EU travel ban on Belarusian foreign minister Uladzimir Makei was suspended, but he remains on the list of persons subject to restrictive measures.

“This decision does not reflect any change in the EU's policy towards Belarus. The EU maintains its policy of critical engagement with Belarus, including its policy of sanctions, with a view to furthering the respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles in Belarus. The Council will revert to this issue at the next annual review of the EU restrictive measures against Belarus in October and decide whether to extend the suspension,” the press service says.

The legal act adopted today will be published in tomorrow's edition of the EU Official Journal and will take effect then.

According to vice foreign minister of Lithuania Andrius Krivas, the visa ban on Makei will be suspended only for the period of his staying in office as foreign minister of Belarus. He noted Uladzimir Makei would be able to attend the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius.

The Belarusian foreign minister is on the list of officials and oligarchs subject to sanctions over repression in Belarus. He is banned from entering the European Union and the United States. Some European officials said earlier Makei could be allowed to visit the EU. The idea was criticized both by the Belarusian opposition and influential human rights organizations.

Uladzimir Makei, with his image of the main “liberal” among Belarusian officials, earlier worked in security services. He stands behind the provocations on December 19, 2010, and later. Ahead of the 2006 elections, KGB chief Sukharenka intimidated protesting Belarusians, but in 2010, it was Makei, the head of Lukashenka's administration, who scared protesters with terrorist attacks.