The Belarusian authorities accepted Poland's decision to impose visa bans on the Belarusian officials and the head of state Alexander Lukashenko "with great regret." This was stated by Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Savinykh on January 19. "The decision of the Polish authorities has left us no choice. The Republic of Belarus will be forced to make an adequate response on subject," said Andrei Savinykh.
According to Foreign Ministry Press Secretary, Poland’s imposition of sanctions is an «opportunistic and hasty decision, indicating Poland’s choice of a confrontational way.»
«Sanctions thinking deepens the dividing lines and destroys trust. The experience of recent decades clearly demonstrates the futility of such a path,» said Andrei Savinykh.
Nevertheless, as reported in the Foreign Ministry of Belarus, the Belarusian side remains convinced that Europe will «give up a confrontational scenario» and Belarus and its European partners will be able to return to «substantive and practical cooperation in the mutual interests.»
«The Belarusian side is in favor of equal and open dialogue on all issues of mutual interest. We are convinced that only this approach will form the basis for mutual understanding,» concluded Andrei Savinykh.
As Telegraf previously reported, Poland announced the imposition of visa bans on Belarusian president and several hundred officers. Polish Foreign Ministry compiled a list of persons, participating in the persecution of the opposition in connection with Minsk massive demonstrations in December. In addition, the EU introduction of visa sanctions is on agenda in the European Parliament, regular session of which terminates in Strasbourg on January 20.
