Minister Svetlan Stoev: Bulgaria supports the Economic Plan for the Democratic Development of Belarus
21 June 2021 News
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Svetlan Stoev expressed support and solidarity with the people of Belarus in their efforts to build a democratic future and welcomed the EU Economic Plan for the country during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.
"Bulgaria supports the Economic Plan for the Democratic Development of Belarus, which provides for assistance of 3 billion euros and which will be activated in the event of a positive change in the country. The Belarusian people have the right to free development, economic recovery and a better future,” said Minister Stoev during an informal meeting with opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
In connection with the continuing deterioration of the situation in Belarus and the increasingly repressive approach towards civil society and the opposition in the country, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted a fourth package of restrictive measures, which includes those directly responsible for hijacking Ryanair's flight on May 23, 2021. A political decision was made to impose sectoral economic sanctions that would significantly increase pressure on the Lukashenko’s regime. The Council reaffirmed its united and unequivocal support for the people of Belarus and their right to democratic choice, discussing ways to further support the EU for the Belarusian opposition and civil society.
The Foreign Affairs Council’s agenda also included discussions on Iraq and EU-Latin America relations, as well as a review of a wide range of current foreign policy issues.
"We fully support the Iraqi government's efforts to carry out economic, political and social reforms, as well as to continue the positive changes in the field of security and the fight against terrorism. The success of these efforts is of great importance for the stability and security of Iraq and the region, “ said Minister Svetlan Stoev, speaking on behalf of the foreign ministers of Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia and Poland during a working session with their Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein. European ministers emphasised the key importance of holding fair, transparent and inclusive elections on 10 October 2021 and reaffirmed their readiness to send an EU observation mission if the conditions allow it. In the course of the discussion, the ministers of the member states called for respect for the rule of law, human rights, for strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism, border management and migration. The Iraqi government's efforts to de-escalate and converge the countries of the region were praised.
The Council discussed strengthening the EU's relations with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), including strengthening political dialogue and exploring the possibility of holding a summit by the end of the year. Emphasis was placed on the cooperation in support of multilateralism, enhanced trade and economic cooperation, pandemic recovery and access to vaccines.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell presented the results of his recent visits to Lebanon and Indonesia. EU-Russia and EU-Turkey relations were examined in the context of the forthcoming discussions of the European Council on 24-25 June 2021. Among the issues discussed were also the Middle East conflict, Mali, Ethiopia, the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.