On 28 May, the European Commission presented to the European Council its outline for a comprehensive plan of economic support to a future democratic Belarus. The plan reflects the EU’s commitment to support the Belarusian people’s wishes for a peaceful democratic transition in the country following the Presidential elections of August 2020, which were neither free nor fair.
Once Belarus embarks on a democratic transition, the EU will activate the €3 billion package aiming to stabilise country’s economy, reform its institutions to make them more democratic and help increase the economy’s resilience, growth potential and job creation.
The newly presented outline highlights several indicative measures to enhance Belarus’ resilience:
To deliver swiftly tangible results to a democratic Belarus and ensure sustainable impact, the EU, including the European Commission will mobilise all tools and instruments available in cooperation with International Financing Institutions to prioritise support to five key flagship investments:
In addition and complementary to the economic plan, the EU will offer to conclude a bilateral framework agreement in order to reinforce the longer-term relations between the EU and a democratic Belarus.
“Our messages are twofold. To the people of Belarus: we see and hear your desire for change, for democracy, and for a bright future. And to the Belarusian authorities: no amount of repression, brutality or coercion will bring any legitimacy to your authoritarian regime,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “So far, you have blatantly ignored the democratic choice of the Belarusian people. It is time to change course. When – and we believe it is a case of when, not if – Belarus starts its peaceful democratic transition, the EU will be there to accompany it.”
On 29 May, the EU joined the Global Picket of Solidarity with Belarus. On this occasion, Maciej Popowski, Acting Director General, EU Neighbourhood & Enlargement, issued a video to express the EU’s solidarity with the people of Belarus.
“The brutal offensive on fundamental rights by the authorities in Belarus is intensifying. The number of people in detention, including political prisoners, is growing. The forced landing of the Ryanair flight and the arrest of Mr Pratasevich and Ms Sapega on 23 May show the length to which the Belarusian authorities are willing to go to crush dissent,” said Maciej Popowski. “This is unacceptable. The EU has reacted strongly in response. We have sanctioned those responsible for the repressions, and new sanctions are under preparation.”
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