Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its deep concern about the tense situation on the border between the European Union and Belarus.

”The massive concentration in this part of Europe of people from other remote geographical regions indicates the organized nature of the flow of migrants. We consider it unacceptable that the health and lives of people in the border region are endangered due to difficult conditions. It is unfortunate that this crisis is leading to a worsening of relations between the European Union and the Republic of Belarus. Provoking such crises does not generate any benefit, and people who are at the epicenter of the situation will only suffer. In the current circumstances, it is necessary to stop the concentration of migrants in the border area and ensure that international organizations have access to humanitarian aid. We also consider necessary actions aimed at politically easing the situation with the involvement of all relevant actors,” it is shown in a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On 21 June, the EU Council decided to impose restrictive measures against 78 people and eight entities in Belarus. This decision was taken in view of the escalation of serious human rights violations in Belarus and the violent repression of civil society, the democratic opposition, and journalists. In addition, seven people and one entity subject to this new series of restrictive measures were targeted in connection with the forced and illegal landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk, Belarus, on 23 May.

Following the political unrest in Belarus and the restrictive measures taken by the EU in June, Belarus began organizing domestic flights and travel to facilitate the transit of migrants to the EU, first to Lithuania, then to Latvia, and Poland. Most migrants are Iraqi, Afghan, and Syrian citizens.

Irregular arrivals in Lithuania in 2021 are more than 50 times more frequent than arrivals in 2020. Poland and Latvia have also seen a significant increase in the number of irregular border crossings in Belarus.

On 25 June, EU leaders condemned any attempt by third countries to use migrants as tools for political purposes. On 9 November 2021, the EU Council adopted a partial suspension of the EU-Belarus Agreement on visa facilitation for officials linked to the Belarusian regime.