The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus believes that the resolution on the human rights situation in Belarus, adopted by the members of the European Parliament on May 12, is contrary to the principles of good neighborliness and is totally unacceptable. MFA Press Secretary Andrei Savinykh said that the sponsors of the resolution are actually calling on the EU to take measures aimed at "undermining the stability of the Belarusian society and human well-being."
The Foreign Ministry believes that the sponsors are trying to «take advantage of the consequences of the global financial crisis to destabilize the economic situation» in Belarus. «The European Parliament called for the measures of political and economic pressure on Belarus, which are aimed at inflicting direct damage to our country in violation of all norms of international law,» emphasized in the department.
Andrei Savinykh said that if the EU takes such sanctions in respect of Belarus, the country will be forced to take retaliatory steps. » «They will constitute an adequate response, aimed primarily at the personalities and structures that are active generators of anti-Belarusian actions,» explained the spokesman.
The Foreign Ministry also notes that despite the fact that the European Parliament «reproduces and enforces distorted interpretations of events, taking place in Belarus, the Belarusian side will continue attempts to return to constructive dialogue. So far, according to Andrei Savinykh, these efforts are «hampered by ultimatums and threats, which are issued for the principled position.»
«We are convinced that the philosophy of pressure and confrontation, demonstrated by the European Parliament, has no chance to exist in the long run,» said Foreign Ministry spokesman.
European Parliament Urged EU to Introduce Point Economic Sanctions against Belarus
Resolution of the European Parliament, adopted on May 12 plenary session in Strasbourg by an absolute majority, called on the European Commission, EU Council and EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy «to extend the restrictive measures against the Belarusian regime.» Among other things, MEPs called on the EU leaders to introduce point economic sanctions on Belarus.
The European Parliament is ready to strengthen the sanctions, imposed after the December presidential election in Belarus, in connection with criminal prosecutions of protesters on December 19, 2010. There were five former presidential candidates among the defendants. The sponsors believe that the trials against the «Square» participants are «unjust» and the ex-candidates’ accusations are «illegal and unacceptable.»
The European Parliament also calls attention to the pressure on independent media in Belarus in its resolution. The EU considered «ongoing climate of fear and intimidation» in the media as unacceptable in the country and urged authorities to release journalist Andrei Pochobut, as well as not to close the newspaper «Narodnaya Volia» and «Nasha Nіva» and not to limit access to opposition websites.
