EU: We’ll give Belarus €3bn if it becomes democracy
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen yesterday offered three billion euros to Belarus if dictator Alexander Lukashenko accepts a ‘transition to democracy’.
After a week of international condemnation over the forced landing of a Ryanair flight to arrest a dissident journalist, the European Commission president told the country ‘it is time to change course’.
Mrs von der Leyen said the bloc had a twofold message – one of support to Belarusian people and a warning to Lukashenko. ‘No amount of repression, brutality or coercion will bring any legitimacy to your authoritarian regime,’ she said.
‘So far, you have blatantly ignored the democratic choice of the Belarusian people. It is time to change course. When – and we believe it is a case of when, not if – Belarus starts its peaceful democratic transition, the EU will be there to accompany it.’
Commission spokesman Ana Pisonero confirmed Mrs von der Leyen had written to Belarus’s opposition figures ‘expressing her respect and admiration for the courage and strength of the people of Belarus’.
She said: ‘The president conveyed the EU stands ready to engage in all possible ways
‘It is time to change course’
to accompany a peaceful democratic transition in Belarus, and outlined in her letter the EU’s comprehensive plan of economic support to a democratic Belarus of up to three billion euros (£2.6billion).’
Miss Pisonero added: ‘The EU will activate this plan once Belarus embarks on a democratic transition.’ The proposed support comes as the West ramps up pressure on Lukashenko after the diversion of the Athens-to-Vilnius Ryanair flight to Minsk on Sunday and the arrest of exiled activist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend.
The UK and EU have already agreed to ban Belarusian airlines from flying to the bloc and recommended European carriers avoid Belarusian airspace. In a further sign of the country’s isolation, the Geneva-based European Broadcasting Union yesterday moved to suspend Belarusian state broadcaster, BTRC, over concerns about it airing interviews possibly obtained under duress.
It comes after Mr Protasevich was filmed in custody this week admitting to organising riots in the country. His family believe he was beaten and forced to make the confession. The broadcaster move would bar Belarus from taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest, among other things.