Minsk ridicules EU sanctions on second-hand clothes

August 14, Pozirk. By restricting the export of second-hand clothes to Belarus, the European Union (EU) did not take into account that the Belarusian light industry offers a wide range of quality goods “for every taste and budget,” the Belarusian foreign ministry’s semi-official Telegram channel said yesterday.

In addition, Belarus imports clothes from “friendly countries,” it said.

It thanked the EU for banning the export of “formaldehyde-soaked second-hand garbage” and at the same time accused the bloc of cynicism.

“Essentially, while declaring its commitment to socially-responsible sanctions, the EU restricts socially-important goods, which are primarily in demand among low-income citizens.”

The export of used clothing to Belarus has been mentioned in the June sanctions package against Minsk that mirrors restrictions against Russia.

Also read: EU expands sanctions against Belarus