EU does not recognize results of presidential elections in Belarus

Baku / 19.08.20 / Turan: The heads of state and government of the EU countries do not recognize the results of the presidential elections in Belarus, said on Wednesday, August 19, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel following an extraordinary summit in Brussels, DW reports.

"The elections were neither fair, nor free, and for this reason the result of these elections cannot be recognized," said the head of the German government, which has been chairing the EU Council since July 1.

There is no doubt that there have been massive violations, Merkel said after about three hours of consultations. “We condemn violence against people,” she added. All political prisoners must be unconditionally released, the chancellor stressed. In addition, a national dialogue is needed, which the opposition insists on. We are on the side of peaceful demonstrators, summed up Angela Merkel.

The head of the European Council Charles Michel also stressed that the election results will not be recognized. In addition, the EU will impose sanctions against "a significant number of those responsible for the violence in the republic and election fraud," he added. Michel called on Minsk to find a peaceful way out of the crisis.

To participate in the summit, which was held in the format of a video conference, many heads of state and government of the EU countries interrupted the summer break on purpose. –0—