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POZIRK+Belarus’ employment rate declines 1.3 percent in Q1
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Berlin links lifting of EU sanctions to fundamental changes within Belarus
January 14, Pozirk. The German foreign ministry linked the lifting of European Union sanctions on Belarus to a fundamental policy change in the country, a diplomat told Pozirk.
Berlin will continue to use appropriate diplomatic channels with representatives of the Belarusian leadership to achieve this goal, officials said, commenting on Germany’s approach to Belarus in 2026.
Germany will defend the idea of a free and democratic Belarus, supported by a broad majority of Belarusian society, the ministry stressed, revealing plans to maintain contact with the Belarusian pro-democracy forces in exile and to help them in their efforts. Berlin also pledged to support media freedom.
The ministry welcomed the liberation of jailed Belarusian regime critics last December, yet noted that the number of designated political prisoners remains unchanged due to ongoing politically-motivated arrests.
Germany is also concerned about the devastating conditions in Belarusian prisons, including a lack of adequate medical care as well as physical and psychological torture, the diplomats said, urging the Belarusian authorities to free all jailed dissidents.
Over the past few years, democratic countries have imposed multiple restrictions on Belarus over human rights abuses, alleged vote rigging in the 2020 presidential election, a brutal crackdown on protesters, the forced landing of a Ryanair flight, a migration crisis at the European Union border, as well as support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Germany’s top diplomat: smuggling from Belarus to Lithuania must not go unpunished
January 6, Pozirk. Incursions of cigarette-smuggling balloons from Belarus into Lithuania are unacceptable and should not go unpunished if they continue, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told journalists in Vilnius yesterday. Lithuania, which borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, whose …
