Belarus is suspending its participation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP), an initiative aimed at boosting ties between the EU and its ex-Soviet neighbors Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Minsk has also launched the procedure for suspending the Readmission Agreement with the EU, IPN reports, quoting a statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.
“We cannot fulfill our obligations under this agreement in the conditions of the sanctions and restrictions imposed by the European Union. It is with deep regret that we inform that the forced suspension of the agreement will have a negative impact on cooperation with the European Union in the fight against illegal migration and organized crime,” reads the statement.
The move comes as Brussels imposed new sanctions over the forced landing of a European flight last month.
The Head of the European Union’s Delegation to Belarus Dirk Schuebel was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry informed him about the concrete steps Belarus has been forced to take in response to the unprecedented restrictive measures imposed on the country by the EU.
In addition, the Belarusian authorities intend to deny entry to EU member states’ representatives “who contributed to the introduction of the restrictive measures and continue working out other response measures, including economic ones.”
