The leaders of Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish government have plans to ask the European Union to impose «tighter sanctions against the violent regime of Aleksandr Lushashenko», as confirmed by Latvian Prime Minister’s press-secretary Sandris Sabajevs.
On Monday, 8 November, Latvia’s Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš discussed with his Lithuanian and Polish counterparts the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border. Kariņš stressed that Latvia, Lithuania and Poland are united in the fight against the hybrid attack from Lukashenko’s regime.
Kariņš said it is Lukashenko’s regime the one responsible for the difficult situation. He adds that the existing regime in Belarus intentionally puts at risk citizens of third countries.
It is also important to involve international organizations to resolve the situation on the border with Belarus.
Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish prime ministers intend to continue communicating and exchanging information on a regular basis in order to coordinate measures to protect Europe’s external border.
Latvia’s prime minister also discussed the situation regarding Belarus and future measures on the EU level with European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leien on 8 November.
Latvia’s President Egils Levits reported on social media that he has discussed the situation with his Polish colleague Andrzej Duda. According to her, Europe needs to consider sanctions against airlines and airports that are involved in bringing migrants to Belarus.
«We have the right and responsibility to protect our shared external border,» stressed Levits, adding that this requires changing certain EU laws.
After discussing the situation with the three prime ministers, Ursula von der Leien released an announcement that she plans to invite an expansion of sanctions and consider imposing sanctions against airlines of third countries involved in transporting migrants to Europe.
As it is known, Latvia strongly condemns the hybrid attack by Belarus on the EU using third country citizens over the EU border, said the prime minister after a meeting of the coalition on 8 November.
Kariņš noted that even since the government announced a state of emergency on the border, Latvian-Belarusian border has remained under tight watch by the State Border Guard, National Guard and State Police.
As previously reported, video footage surfaced on social media this week. The footage depicts hundreds or even thousands of illegal migrants moving over the Belarusian-Polish border.
Chief of Latvia’s State Border Guard Guntis Pujāts says the situation on the Latvian-Belarusian border remains relatively stable.
Although dozens of migrants attempt to cross the border every day, Latvian authorities prevent their attempts.
Nevertheless, some exceptions apply. These include situations when border guards allow migrants to enter the country for humane reasons. Last week seven people were let in.
During his visit to Hungary Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs insisted taking immediate action against Belarus.
Latvia, Lithuania and Poland request additional sanctions against Lukashenko’s regime in Belarus
