Stability, not values: the EU lifts sanctions against Belarus

On 15 February 2016, the EU Council decided not to extend its visa and economic sanctions against 170 representatives of the Belarusian regime and three companies linked to the Belarusian government. At the same time, sanctions against four people suspected of involvement in the disappearance of President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s opponents in the years 1999-2000, and the embargo on sales of arms and military equipment to Belarus, were maintained. The sanctions were introduced in December 2010, in response to the brutal repression of the political opposition and civil society, but they were suspended in October 2015 in response to signs of liberalisation in Belarus. However over recent months, the situation in the areas of human rights and civil liberties has not undergone the expected improvement in any of the relevant issues.

The EU’s decision was not a reaction to any democratising actions by the Belarusian authorities, but was rather a political choice. Brussels came to the conclusion that the policy of sanctions had not brought about the expected changes, and had actually weakened its political and economic position in Belarus vis-à-vis Russia. At the same time, the EU welcomed Minsk’s balanced position in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and was beginning to appreciate the stability of Belarus, in contrast with the situation in Ukraine and the EU’s southern neighbourhood. The Council’s decision strengthened Minsk’s political position vis-à-vis Moscow, and also made it easier for Belarus to activate the programme of support from the International Monetary Fund to stabilise the country’s finances.

ESO: Background information: Council decides to lift most EU sanctions against Belarus http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-decides-to-lift-most-eu-sanctions-against-belarus/

---