Spokesman of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Andrey Savinykh said that Belarus has withdrawn its representative to the EU and ambassador to Poland in response to EU sanctions. EU representative and Polish ambassador to Belarus were recommended to visit their capital cities for consultations, RIA Novosti reports.
President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz says that withdrawing ambassadors is a hostile act of Belarus. EU states have decided to withdraw their ambassadors from Minsk.
Catherine Ashton, EI High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said that all EU ambassadors will be withdrawn from Minsk for consultations.
France has withdrawn its ambassador from Belarus. France condemned Belarus’ initiative and will continue criticizing the state for violating human rights and fundamental freedom in the state.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that his state withdrew ambassador out of solidarity with other EU states.
The European Union expanded the blacklist of Belarusian functionaries on Monday. The list includes police officers and judges responsible for arrests and trials of the regime’s opposition. Sanctions include freezing accounts and bans for visits of EU states.
