{"id":115033,"date":"2024-11-22T14:01:14","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T11:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/115033\/"},"modified":"2024-11-22T14:01:15","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T11:01:15","slug":"eu-diplomats-skip-belarus-migration-conference-highlighting-distrust","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/115033\/","title":{"rendered":"EU diplomats skip Belarus’ migration conference, highlighting distrust"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Minsk’s attempt to organize an international conference on illegal migration failed to gain traction. The European Union (EU) refused to engage with Belarus on this pressing issue, underscoring its deep mistrust of Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s regime.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n \"\"\n
\n
\n\n Migrants at the Belarusian-Polish border in November 2021\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Viktor Tolochko \/ Sputnik)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

EU ignores Minsk\u2019s overtures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On September 2, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ry\u017eanko\u016d announced that Minsk would host an international conference on combating illegal migration in November. He invited officials from neighboring countries, the EU and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe hope that all those interested in normalizing the situation at the border will participate in the meeting,\u201d the minister stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when the conference took place on November 15, only two Western diplomats\u2014a British embassy official and the Hungarian ambassador\u2014attended. The Belarusian government was frustrated by the West\u2019s refusal to engage, but this outcome reflects the country\u2019s tarnished reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orchestrated migrant crisis: retaliatory move against West<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Until 2021, illegal migration was not a significant issue at Belarus\u2019s borders with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The migration crisis was intentionally engineered by the Belarusian regime amid rising tension with the West over allegations human rights abuses and election fraud. The Belarusian ruler openly declared that, in response to Western sanctions, Belarusian border guards would no longer prevent migrants from Asia and Africa from entering the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illegal border crossings are a crime even in Belarus. The border guards’ inaction contradicted their fundamental duties, exposing the government’s failure to protect its borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, neighboring countries accused Belarusian security services of orchestrating the transportation of migrants to the border and of organizing groups to storm it. This was seen as \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s retaliation against EU sanctions and the West’s refusal to recognize him as the legitimate president following the disputed 2020 election. His ultimate goal was to force the EU into negotiations on Minsk\u2019s terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is substantial evidence of Belarusian security forces’ involvement in these border attacks. Migrant groups, numbering in the thousands, were escorted along major roads unhindered, camped near the border and attempted to breach it. Unauthorized public gatherings, marches and demonstrations are banned in Belarus\u2014except when it came to groups of migrants. Such actions could not have occurred without government support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interior Minister Ivan Kubrako\u016d admitted, \u201cWe are providing security, just escorting the migrants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between autumn 2021 and winter 2022, up to 47 planes from the Middle East landed in Minsk each week, bringing migrants into Belarus en masse. \u0141uka\u0161enka, in a November 26, 2021 speech at a camp near the Bruzhi border crossing, told migrants: \u201cIf you want to go to the West, we will not stop you. It\u2019s your choice.\u201d He also revealed that up to 200 people were crossing the border daily. He encouraged the migrants to seek help from authorities, claiming that Belarus had spent $12.6 million in aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Migration crisis eases at Belarusian border, intensifies in Russia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over the past three years, tensions at the Belarusian borders with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have fluctuated. The number of irregular migrants and border crossings has decreased. The primary migration route now runs through Russia, with many migrants holding Russian visas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moscow has played a prominent role in the migration crisis. Russia used a similar tactic at its border with Finland after the latter joined NATO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials claimed that agencies have stepped up efforts to combat illegal migration. Indeed, the law enforcement agencies have reported cracking down on migrant groups across Belarus. At the low-profile November conference, Ry\u017eanko\u016d declared, \u201cNo one can accuse Belarus of inaction. We have disrupted many routes and detected numerous illegal migrants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, \u0141uka\u0161enka has repeatedly stated that he sees no point in preventing irregular migrants from attempting to enter the EU illegally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus angered by EU\u2019s non-attendance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Why did diplomats and politicians from EU countries, including Belarus\u2019s immediate neighbors, choose not to attend the conference?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most EU officials, with the notable exception of Hungary, also declined to participate in a conference on Eurasian security hosted by Minsk on October 31. The West\u2019s cool response to Belarus\u2019 recent release of 178 political prisoners reflects ongoing concerns about the government\u2019s relentless crackdown on dissidents and continued human rights abuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the migration issue remains a major challenge for Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Germany, who face the consequences of irregular migration from Belarusian territory. EU countries have invested heavily in border security, erecting walls and deploying troops. Migration has become one of the most contentious issues in Belarus\u2019 relations with the West.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ry\u017eanko\u016d expressed frustration over the EU diplomats\u2019 decision to boycott the conference: \u201cUnfortunately, we have not been heard. And some of those who should be working on this in the West don\u2019t even want to hear us. We are ready to get to the bottom of this problem to find ways to solve it and to act together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mistrust of \u0141uka\u0161enka<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The West remains unwilling to engage with Minsk because it doubts that \u0141uka\u0161enka can make independent decisions, with much of his policy appearing to be controlled by Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the migration crisis were solely a product of the Belarusian government, Minsk should have the authority to stop it without needing to hold conferences or negotiate with other parties. All it would take is a return to control over its borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EU\u2019s refusal to participate is a clear sign of the deepening divide between Belarus and the West. There is now a veritable \u201ciron curtain\u201d between the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian leader\u2019s calls for a \u201creset\u201d of relations, his bid for international recognition and his desire to be included in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are not taken seriously by the West.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Propaganda at the forefront<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The conference agenda itself raised further doubts about Minsk\u2019s true motives. Belarusian officials, including the foreign minister, used the event to propagate anti-Western rhetoric and blame the migration crisis on the West.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, the two previous conferences on Eurasian security hosted by Minsk were filled with propaganda and produced little substantive discussion or solutions. As long as Belarus\u2019 foreign ministry continues to push its anti-Western agenda, any efforts to improve relations with the West are unlikely to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"