Borrell: “Unacceptable” transfer of migrants to Belarus from many Middle Eastern airports

The High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell stated today that the images coming from border of Poland with Belarus are “shocking”, while he stressed that the situation could get worse.

“It simply came to our notice then they use “People as a tool for political purposes,” he said. speaking to the European Parliament. The Lukashenko regime gives them “false expectations,” he added.

According to the APE BPE, Mr. Borel informed that Iraqis, which came mainly from Kurdistan, were transported from Baghdad to Minsk and from Minsk to the border of Poland and Lithuania. After explaining to the Iraqi authorities the dangers facing civilians, they stopped flights to Minsk.

However, even though Iraqi Airlines stopped, the same did not happen to me smaller companies who “flew from Baghdad and suddenly from many other airports in the Middle East».

“Many other airports in the Middle East have been used as hubs to send people from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan to Belarus and from there to the European border,” he said.

At the same time, talking about mission of the Vice-President of the Commission Margariti Schoina in countries of transit and origin of migrants, said he would be in Abu Dhabi, τη Beirut, τη Baghdad, the Erbil, the Anchor.

As far as he is concerned Lukashenko, the High Representative noted that with his actions he responds to sanctions of the EU. “You are imposing sanctions on me and I am creating a problem for you. “If I have to put people at risk to create a problem, I will do it,” said Borrell, explaining Lukashenko’s actions.this is something completely unacceptable».

In addition, he stated that “the Constantinople remains one of the main transit hubs for migrants “.

Schinas: No one should be involved in the unacceptable practices of the Belarussian authorities

The Vice-President of the Commission Margaritis Schoinas, during the communication she had with him Arab Organization Airlines“No one should allow himself to be involved in the unacceptable practices of the Belarussian authorities,” he said.

In particular, Mr. Schoinas states in his Twitter post: “I had an honest communication with the Arab Airlines Organization together with the Transport Commissioner Antina Valean. The message from the EU is clear: no one should allow himself to be involved in the unacceptable practices of the Belarussian authorities.

“We are counting on the precautionary effort of the airlines now – this is a moment of truth.”