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EU calls all ambassadors from Belarus

28 February 2012, 23:07 CET
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(BRUSSELS) - The European Union Tuesday recalled all its ambassadors to Belarus after Minsk decided to expel two of them in retaliation for new sanctions imposed by the bloc over the country's rights record.

"In expression of solidarity and unity it was agreed that the ambassadors of the EU member states in Minsk will all be withdrawn for consultations to their capitals," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

Earlier Tuesday, Minsk said the ambassador of Poland -- which led the drive for fresh EU sanctions against Belarus -- and the EU's envoy should leave the country.

The ex-Soviet republic also recalled its own ambassadors to Poland and the EU, a day after a fresh raft of sanctions against Belarusian officials over President Alexander Lukashenko's abysmal rights record.

"The head of the EU representative office and the Polish ambassador to Belarus have also been invited to travel to their capitals," Belarus' foreign ministry said in a statement.

The president of the European parliament, Martin Schulz, voiced his displeasure at the decision: "It is a disproportionate, unhelpful and counterproductive step... I consider it a hostile act."

Poland has emerged as one of Lukashenko's top foes. Many Belarusians have fled there in recent years, some lobbying Warsaw over conditions back home.

Even before Ashton announced all ambassadors for EU member states were being recalled, Germany and France both ordered their Belarus envoys home for consultations.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle had said other EU nations would likely recall their ambassadors too.

"It's a question of European solidarity," he said in a statement.

"It's a hostile step toward the entire European Union," Poland's foreign ministry spokesman Marcin Bosacki said of Minsk's latest diplomatic moves.

Ashton said Belarus' ambassadors would be summoned over the incident.

"All EU member states will also summon Belarusian ambassadors to their foreign ministries," her statement said.

"At the same time I have called a meeting of Member States Ambassadors (PSC) in Brussels today to coordinate our response."

European affairs ministers on Monday agreed an assets freeze and visa ban against 21 senior officials -- 19 magistrates and two highly placed police officers -- who were deemed involved in moves to stifle the opposition.

The 19 will be added to 210 people already blacklisted over the continuing repression of civil society by Lukashenko's regime.

European parliament president Schulz said that "instead of choosing increasing self-isolation, Minsk should make the right choice for its people and open itself towards democracy.

"As the first step, Belarus should release unconditionally and rehabilitate all political prisoners.

"This would help in a review of the EU's restrictive measures and allow Belarus and the EU to embark on the path of gradual re-engagement."


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