Andrius Kubilius: Society Shows Strength Of Civil Will

Belarusians have ceased to be afraid.

It will depend on the actions of the Belarusian authorities whether Belarus, and therefore each of us, will receive assistance from the European Union. This was confirmed by another European politician, arguing about the inadmissibility of repressive behavior by the current government of Belarus. MEP from Lithuania Andrius Kubilius assessed the election campaign, reports Belsat.

It reminds the days of the Nazi Germany

- In your opinion, is the current election campaign transparent at this stage?

- The decision of the Central Election Commission not to register Babaryka and Tsapkala, the leading opposition contenders, stole the presidential election from the people of Belarus.

- Are you “for” the imposition of sanctions in the event that unfair and undemocratic election is held in Belarus?

- Whether the EU will impose sanctions again will depend on the entire electoral process. We saw that one main candidate was imprisoned, another found a large number of legally and officially collected signatures rejected. No one does such things in democratic countries. There is a question of how the power structures will behave. What we saw on Belsat and on YouTube - how civilians in the streets are taken by security forces, the KGB or some other structures - reminds the times of the Nazi Germany. European countries cannot behave this way. August 9 is coming, after which we will see the big picture, and we will respond to it.

- What could be the first criterion for a tough EU reaction?

- The presence of political prisoners. If the Lukashenka regime in the near future does not release political prisoners - candidates, politicians like Pavel Seviarynets, or arrested ordinary people and bloggers - we will discuss what sanctions should be introduced.

- What is the second criterion?

- Compliance of the campaign with democratic standards. We seriously warn that we are observing the situation very carefully. If the Lukashenka regime doesn’t hear, then in the future they may receive the so-called Magnitsky sanctions, following the example of the United States. The European Union must also impose personal sanctions. Lukashenka, his entourage, and especially those who lead the power structures, must remember that their names are well known to everyone.

Society is no longer afraid of repression

- Can an individual country, for example, Lithuania, introduce even more stringent restrictions, or does the EU take such decisions jointly?

- Lithuania has its own law regarding Magnitsky sanctions, and may introduce such restrictions. But much stronger sanctions are introduced at the level of the European Union. Lithuania and its partners will work on the second option - European sanctions. But Lithuania is always ready to implement its state sanctions.

- Will the Belarusian authorities respond to sanctions with even tougher repressions?

- Historical experience shows that some authoritarian leaders cross the red border and use military force to stop their people. But there are leaders who, after the protests, take some steps and create opportunities for the society. Lukashenka could look at an experience not so distant - at the same Nazarbayev in Kazakhstan.

- How much is the European Parliament engaged in today's events in Belarus?

- Last week, the topic of Belarus was discussed in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which will publish a special report in September-October. The situation in Belarus was discussed by representatives of the Commission and the Council of the European Union. The vast majority of members of the European Parliament have similar views.

- That is, everyone looks negatively at the events taking place in Belarus?

- We look negatively at how the authorities behave towards citizens, and look very positively at how the society has ceased to be afraid of repression, and expresses its desire for change. People should have the legal opportunity to express their opinion on such changes.

More through Great Deeds

- What are the possible scenarios for further cooperation between Brussels and Minsk after August 9?

- Belarus is very important as a country that can become strong. We want Belarusians to have the opportunity to choose their own path, as is done in Georgia, Ukraine, recently and in Armenia. Just like those countries, Belarus after the changes can make greater use of the opportunities of the Eastern Partnership program: this is both a visa-free regime and economic assistance. Our conditions are simple: democracy, compliance with the rule of law, economic reform. In the Eastern Partnership program, everything is based on the principle of “more through great deeds and less because of bad deeds”. If the state makes major reforms, it will receive more assistance programs from the European Union. If the state takes a step back, on the part of the European Union this assistance will immediately decrease.

- The borders of the European Union are now closed for Belarus. How can this affect the election process in Belarus?

- Because of COVID-19, numerous borders are still closed. We will discuss how international observers will attend the elections, including observers from the European Parliament. Such observers should be present during the election in Belarus. This issue will be discussed.

- How can Europe support the civil society of Belarus?

- Training is one of the priority programs, the Erasmus + program for all countries of the Eastern Partnership is a very important tool. How many opportunities Belarusian students will receive will depend on what happens on August 9. Now we are thinking about how to recreate the assistance programs of the European Union, which were implemented after the 2010 elections, when many Belarusians went to jail. Then there was a program to support their families. Such a program must be restored. It is very important to think about it this year, because this year the financial plan of the European Union for the next 7 years is being agreed. These programs should be included in the budget of the European Union.