EU Foreign Ministers compromise on Belarus

Press Release 82/2009
16 March, 2009 

Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb spoke in Brussels with his colleagues, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins of Latvia and Foreign Minister Urmas Paet of Estonia. Photo: Council of the European Union

At their meeting on Monday, 16 March, the EU Foreign Ministers reached agreement on the most difficult item on the agenda, i.e. the position to adopt towards Belarus. The Ministers for Foreign Affairs agreed to continue the relaxation of travel restrictions imposed on leaders of Belarus by nine months, but at the same time to continue the sanctions proper by another twelve months. The compromise thus takes into account the need to give Belarus a positive signal to continue its reforms and a reminder that sanctions can, if necessary, be put back into place quickly.

Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb was satisfied with the solution, and said that “since sanctions have been tried for twelve years without yielding results, now we shall try a conciliatory approach”. The Foreign Minister continued that “the solution is a suitable mix of cooperation and conditionality, carrot and stick.” According to Stubb, on a school grade scale of zero to ten, Belarus would now receive a grade of only two or three, but there has, however, been improvement. Stubb also warns against combining the situation of Belarus with other international issues, advising caution in this regard.

During the General Affairs session, the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council discussed, among other issues, the economic recovery plan to combat the economic crisis. Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors said that views on the recovery plan had become somewhat closer but that the countries’ stands still remained too far apart. According to Thors, Finland maintains its goals of obtaining financing for broadband Internet connections, rural development and construction of the Estlink 2 sea cable between Finland and Estonia. In her view, the total recovery plan should not be opened in a way that would jeopardise these objectives. Finland is prepared to approve the recovery plan on these conditions. The economic recovery plan now proceeds to the European Council summit for debate on Thursday and Friday.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed the situation in Sudan. The EU underscores its support for the International Criminal Court and is concerned about the expulsion of international humanitarian aid organisations from the country following the indictment of President al-Bashir. Foreign Minister Stubb stresses that “the expulsion of thirteen aid organisations means a 40 per cent shortfall in the number of aid personnel. The EU must pay special attention to the development of the humanitarian situation”.

In addition, the Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Bosnia. The situation in the Western Balkans will be addressed in greater detail at the informal meeting of foreign ministers to be held at the end of the month. Other issues on the agenda included the situation in Afghanistan, the informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government with the US President, and the situation in the Middle East.

Additional information: Mikko Hautala, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 834 6758

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