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23.03.2012

Presidents of Lithuania and Latvia: EU sanctions should not hurt people of Belarus

VILNIUS, 23 March (BelTA) - The European Union should not apply sanctions that might hurt ordinary Belarusians, Presidents of Lithuania and Latvia Dalia Gribauskaite and Andris Berzins said during a meeting in Lithuania on 22 March.

The Presidents of Lithuania and Latvia stated that the positions of their countries on this issue coincide. Dalia Gribauskaite and Andris Berzins made this statement prior to the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers during which they are planning to announce sanctions against Belarus, individuals and companies.

The Presidents referred to the concerns of business in both countries about possible economic sanctions against Belarus and emphasized that sanctions should not affect ordinary people.

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins said that Latvia has been doing a lot to strengthen cross-border cooperation with Belarus, relations between people living in close proximity to the borders of the two countries. Possible economic sanctions will severely hurt not only Latvian investors in Belarus but also those people.

This week representatives of Lithuania business voiced their concerns over disastrous consequences of possible economic sanctions against Belarus for Lithuanian business.