Michel and von der Leyen: Belarus' "hybrid attack" in the EU
European Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President Ursula von der Leyen spoke of a "hybrid attack" on the EU border by Belarus. The "hybrid attack" on the EU border by the Belarussian regime was condemned by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen , speaking today in the Plenary Session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Charles Michel pointed out that the Foreign Affairs Council last week approved a new base of additional sanctions to blacklist new individuals, bodies and entities involved in the instrumentalization of immigrants. For example, he said that Belarus' national airline, Belavia, would now be able to join the sanctions. Charles Michel also stressed that the EU had taken action to stop airlines from transporting migrants to Minsk. As a result of the Council's joint efforts with the Commission, Michel said, Turkish Airlines decided to co-operate and prevent Belavia from transporting migrants to Minsk. "It will no longer allow flights from Istanbul to Minsk," he added, noting that other airlines have made similar decisions. Both Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the efforts and contacts of the Vice-President of the Commission, Margarita Schoinas, who visited countries of origin and transit of migrants, such as Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and managed to ensure their positive cooperation ".
The President of the European Council also stressed that in recent days the Belarussian authorities have adopted some measures "which at first sight seem to be somewhat positive". He added, however, that "it is still too early to see if they will stick to these measures or change their attitude."
According to Michel, some of the most vulnerable migrants have found refuge and 700 Iraqi citizens have returned to Iraq. He thanked the International Organization for Migration and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for their co-operation, stressing that it was important for humanitarian organizations to have full access to the area so that more migrants could return home.
Concluding, S. Michel stressed that the EU actions have led to tangible results. "We can say that we have stopped the arrival of immigrants to Belarus. "Migration flows have been significantly reduced, we have not been destabilized by these attacks and we continue to be vigilant and take action."
For her part, the President of the Commission stressed that Europe is acting rapidly in terms of humanitarian aid, in terms of diplomatic contacts with countries of origin, but also in terms of imposing sanctions on those who promote trafficking in human beings.
"What the Lukashenko regime is doing is exploiting the suffering of the people and using them for political purposes. "These people need help, so we immediately contacted the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and immediately mobilized funds to help them."
At the diplomatic level, he noted that the efforts have already yielded some results. He specifically said that many airlines have stopped traveling to Belarus, while Iraq has begun repatriating its nationals who are in Minsk. "We welcome the very good cooperation with Iraq. "But other migrants of other nationalities are also trapped and we are helping the UN services to help them," he said, adding that more than 2.3m euros were being used to facilitate returns from Belarus.
Regarding sanctions against Belarus, Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Belarus's strategy is based on the complicity of intermediaries and travel agencies. "There are travel agencies that offer packages, with visas, flights, hotel and bus to the border. "These people are being deceived by miserable false promises." He pointed out that the Commission is currently submitting a legislative proposal to establish a blacklist for all transport agency services that effectively commit human trafficking.
