The European Union does not consider Aleksander Lukashenko legitimate President of Belarus. The authority plans to impose sanctions because of the events in that country. Josep Borrel, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said so as quoted by Yevropeiska Pravda.
Officials believe that the recent presidential elections in Belarus were rigged. In that regard, Borrel claimed that the sanctions against this country should be imposed as soon as possible, before the session of the European Council slated for September 24-25.
"Many of Belarusian officials who were involved in repressions against protesters will face the sanctions. We look into this issue, and we want to approve the sanctions as soon as possible, before the session of the European Council", Borrel explained.
He added that the EU has to reconsider relations with Belarus, and also said that phase 2 of the sanctions could follow after phase 1.
Last month, ministers of Foreign Affairs of 27 EU member countries approved the decision to impose sanctions against Belarusian officials involved in violations of human rights during the mass protests.