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Polish PM urges EU summit to back economic aid for Belarus

02.10.2020 07:30
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Thursday urged leaders at an EU summit in Brussels to back a plan for wide-ranging international economic assistance to Belarus.
Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki arriving for the EU summit in Brussels.
Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki arriving for the EU summit in Brussels. Photo: EPA/ARIS OIKONOMOU

State news agency PAP reported that the plan, drawn up by the regional Visegrad Group of which Poland is a member, calls for financial support and investment in infrastructure in Belarus.

That country, which is Poland’s eastern neighbour, has been rocked by street protests since a disputed Aug. 9 election that the opposition has denounced as rigged.

The PAP agency reported that the plan championed by Morawiecki included a “stabilization package” with the participation of the EU and the International Monetary Fund.

PAP last month cited Morawiecki as saying that Belarus should be provided with financial assistance of at least EUR 1 billion.

The presidents of Poland, Lithuania and Romania in August voiced support for the people of Belarus in building democracy and civil society institutions while also urging international assistance for the country.

Meanwhile, Morawiecki on Thursday voiced disappointment that the EU has not yet adopted targeted sanctions against Belarusian officials, the PAP agency cited an unnamed source as saying.

(pk)

Source: PAP