In response to the EU sanctions, Belarus expands the list of those banned from entering the country

The country has also restricted the activities of several political foundations and reviewed the implementation of some “humanitarian programmes”

In response to the third package of the EU sanctions Belarus will take a number of “legal actions” – will expand the list of those who are forbidden to enter the Republic and the Union State, restricted the activities of several political foundations in the Republic and reconsidered implementation of some humanitarian programs. Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei told reporters on Tuesday.

“We have carefully studied the whole so-called third package of restrictive measures and, naturally, we offered our response to this package. They also include an increase in the relevant personal list. This means that a number of additional persons from the EU countries will not be able to enter the territory of Belarus and the Union State, taking into account that our list is the same as that of Russia,” press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry quoted Makei.

He added that “a decision was made to limit the activities of a number of political foundations in the Republic of Belarus, as well as to review the implementation of a number of so-called humanitarian, educational and cultural programs, which are carried out by the relevant political institutions in Belarus, including those operating under the auspices of foreign embassies.

Makiei stressed that Minsk categorically rejects the policy and logic of sanctions.

“But we have to respond adequately to those unfriendly restrictive measures, which, unfortunately, are taken by our partners in relation to Belarus. <…> We will, naturally, take a number of legal actions in response to the absolutely groundless inclusion of a number of companies and individuals in the EU list,” he said.

The head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry also said that there are at least three other areas, which would be responded to. “We would not like to publicize these measures, but they will be really sensitive and serious,” he said.