Kallas: EU condemns Belarus’ provocations against Lithuania  

The EU strongly condemned Belarus’ “persistent and provocative actions” against the EU and its Member States, which are “unacceptable, and contradict previous declarations by Lukashenka to improve relations with the EU”, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said in a statement, released on 29 October. 

Over the last few weeks, meteorological balloon incursions into Lithuania’s airspace from Belarus have disrupted hundreds of flights and caused substantial losses to Lithuanian airports and thousands of travellers. Kallas said that this creates a risk of destabilising one of the EU Member States and is an attempt to intimidate European citizens with direct threats to civil aviation.

“These balloons are not merely smuggling tools, but occur in the context of a broader targeted hybrid campaign, along with other actions that also include state-sponsored migrant smuggling,” said Kallas. “All these actions must stop immediately. We call on the Belarusian regime to adopt without further delay effective measures to control its airspace, state border and territory, and fight and prevent organised criminal activities originating within it.”

She added that sanctions on the Belarusian regime have been imposed, and the EU is prepared to take further appropriate measures should such actions continue. 

“We will not tolerate any hybrid campaigns directed against the EU or any of its Member States,” concluded Kaja Kallas.

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