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Rope for Belarus: I’m convinced he would not have to use the toolbox we have

In the EU ‘s efforts to address the instrumentalization of migrants by the regime of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the vice-president of the Commission, Margaritis Schoinas from Beirut, where he is, focused, emphasizing “he would not need to use the toolbox”.

“Beirut is the second stop in a series of visits I make to commit to partner countries, which are key to helping us, to help the EU put an end to the immoral instrumentalization and use of them as weapons by its regime. Lukashenko. “Change is happening,” he said Margaritis Schoinas.

“I was in Dubai yesterday where I was impressed by the commitment of the UAE authorities to work with us to put an end to these practices. I would like to publicly welcome the decision of the Turkish Civil Aviation, which announced a few hours ago that it will also restrict such operations “I received assurances from my interlocutors here in Lebanon that (Lebanon) is ready to work with us.”

“We must build a global coalition against the use of people as political pawns”

The vice-president of the Commission pointed out, as broadcast by the Athenian News Agency: “We must build a global coalition against the use of people as political pawns. Let me be very clear about what is happening: traffickers are selling lies to people, international trafficking networks, transporting them to Minsk and giving the impression that they are creating a safe passage to Europe. This is happening through partner countries, local nodes and we will not allow this to continue.

“We have already imposed a series of sanctions on its regime Belarus and we strengthen them with a fifth package, which will be implemented next week. “We are working with the United States and others to ensure that these sanctions take effect in December.”

“As far as the EU is concerned, we are working with partners in the region to ensure that they understand and assist in our efforts. I want to thank them all. I want to thank them all for being open and for their constructive spirit. “We are also committed to talks with third-country air carriers involved in these operations, and I believe that our efforts are bearing fruit,” he said.

In addition, Schoinas noted that “as President von der Leyen has already emphasized, the European Union has a strong will to act. It has a very effective toolbox. “I am convinced that we will not be forced to use it because, as I said, change is already happening.”

“I also take this opportunity to thank Lebanon and its authorities for the significant efforts they are already making to help us reduce flights to Belarus and for their overall commitment to jointly managing the migration challenges,” he concluded. .

EU considers sanctions on non-cooperating airlines to stop smuggling migrants to Belarus

The European Commission is investigating sanctions, including blacklisting airlines that do not co-operate to stop the transfer of migrants to Belarus and then to the European border, Deputy Chief of Staff Dana Spinand told reporters.

“We continue to work closely with the airline industry to prevent trafficking in people across the border in Belarus,” said Spinand, adding that Vice President Margaritis Schoinas and Transport Commissioner aviation organizations, such as the Organization of Arab Airlines. He also said that there was contact with other companies, stressing that “all the companies with which there was communication strongly condemned any form of human trafficking” and expressed their full commitment to combat what is happening.

Commission

“These efforts will bear fruit,” the deputy chief spokeswoman for the commission was quoted as saying by the Athens News Agency.

She added that “Iraqi Airlines has confirmed that it will not operate flights to Minsk and Turkish Airlines will also stop selling non-refundable tickets from Turkey to Minsk. “The Turkish authorities will also prevent the Belarusian airline Belavia from using the Turkish Airlines network in the Middle East, thus preventing migrants from flying to Minsk via Istanbul.”

“The Commission is closely investigating sanctions, including blacklisting non-cooperating airlines, to stop the Lukashenko regime’s smuggling of migrants,” Dana Spinand said.

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