Linkevičius: The Belarusian Authorities Have Lost the Right to Sign Something on Behalf of the People

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister called for the introduction of sanctions against the official Minsk.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius hopes that the issue of imposing sanctions against officials in Belarus will not be dragged out by individual members of the European Union. He said this on September 21 in Brussels to journalists before the council's meeting, the website naviny.by writes.

"I hope that our EU colleagues will not hold the EU in limbo and will not take it hostage, because the time has come to act," Linkevičius said.

This is probably about Cyprus, which, as Bloomberg previously reported, is blocking a decision on sanctions against Belarusian officials responsible for rigging elections and repressing peaceful protesters.

Linkevičius also noted that, in addition to imposing sanctions, the EU should provide support to the Belarusian civil society and independent media.

"People are still suffering while we are talking here; they are being held in custody, tortured, and raped. This, of course, deserves not only our attention but also an independent international investigation," said the Lithuanian Foreign Minister.

"You should also very clearly tell the outgoing authorities that they have lost the right to speak, decide, or sign something on behalf of the Belarusian people, which, perhaps, Lukashenka plans to do," Linkevičius said. - It is also very important to say about the inadmissibility of interference in Belarus's internal affairs. This would be a strong and clear signal for Russia not to do this."