Belarus suspends participation in Eastern Partnership

Belarus is suspending its participation in the European Union's Eastern Partnership initiative, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

"The Republic of Belarus is suspending its participation in the EU initiative Eastern Partnership. Belarus is beginning the procedure of suspending its readmission agreement with the EU. We cannot fulfill our obligations in the framework of this agreement while under the sanctions and restrictions imposed by the EU," the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry deeply regrets that "the forced suspension of the agreement will have an adverse effect on our cooperation with the EU in countering illegal migration and organized crime."