The Belarusian dictatorial regime has been funneling migrants primarily from the Middle East to the country’s border with the EU, and in particular Poland, as revenge for EU-imposed sanctions. MEPs debate on the situation in Belarus and at its border with the EU and the security and humanitarian consequences.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Belarus (T)

LEGUTKO, Ryszard Antoni (ECR, PL)

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

SIPPEL, Birgit (S&D, DE)

GONZÁLEZ PONS, Esteban (EPP, ES)

EU - Poland (T)

AUŠTREVIČIUS, Petras (Renew, LT)

SCHINAS, Margaritis (EPP-DE, EL, EC)

VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL, Viola (Greens/EFA, DE)

LOGAR, Anže (SI)

Situation in Belarus and at its border with the EU and the security and humanitarian consequences: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), An&#382;e LOGAR, Council, <p>The EU will counter. The hybrid attack by the Belarussian regime, including by adopting further restrictive measures as a matter of urgency. Consequently, on 15 November, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted the legal act that broadened the listing criteria for designation under the sanction regime against Belarus. The objective is to target individuals and entities organising or contributing to activities by Lukashenko regime that facilitate illegal crossing of the EU's external borders. </p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Anže LOGAR, Council, The situation appears to be easing in recent days. Nevertheless, I think the most affected member states, namely Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, deserve our continued solidarity and concrete support. We should not forget that they are protecting the EU External border. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of promoting our European Way of Life, <p>There are now over 2000 people close to the border. With an estimated further 15000 stranded in. Belarus. The shocking images of these thousands of desperate people do not do justice to our values. These people are being sold a lie, a fantasy and illusion. </p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of promoting our European Way of Life, We have to call a spade a spade. And see these actions for what they are: a determined attempt to create a continuing and protracted crisis as part of a broader coordinated effort to destabilise the European Union, testing our unity and resolve. This is not a migration crisis. This is not a migration issue. This is a major security threat.

SOUNDBITE (English), Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of promoting our European Way of Life, We have already mobilised 700000 euros of humanitarian funding from the EU budget to support partners in providing immediate assistance to vulnerable people. We have already allocated 200000 euros to the Red Cross as part of our overall contribution to the disaster Relief Emergency Fund. And we are very pleased to see the IOM and the UNHCR. Finally being granted access to a makeshift camp on the Belarusian side of the border 

SOUNDBITE (English), Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of promoting our European Way of Life, We are responding to Belarus, flouting of international norms with a harsh set of sanctions that will continue to escalate. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of promoting our European Way of Life, When President von der Leyen from the White House announced the possibility of sanctions to third country operators engaged in human smuggling. This was not an empty threat. It was a credible threat.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Esteban GONZ&#193;LEZ PONS (EPP, ES), It is no coincidence that in the heat of the conflict with Belarus, Putin should have seised the opportunity to deploy approximately 100,000 soldiers at the border. Belarus is the excuse. His real objective is Ukraine, and some people are still wondering whether we should call this hybrid warfare or not. Let us respond calmly, not recklessly. Our principles and values are an existential threat to Russian autocrat authority.

SOUNDBITE (German), Birgit SIPPEL (S&amp;D, DE), Help organisations should be let through, people are freezing and hungry, there could be an support for Poland through our agencies, through relocation. And it's about time that this support was actually accepted and taken on board. It's high time that we put an absolute stop to this violent way of dealing with matters.

SOUNDBITE (Lithuanian), Petras AU&#352;TREVI&#268;IUS (Renew, LT), This crisis created by Lukashenko is the way to threaten EU policy. It's a real multifaceted action threat, including Astravets, its nuclear power plant, to all us. Let's not undermine the trust of Belarussian people in another future of their country. Let's fight for European values, because only this proves that Europe is strong and reliable.

SOUNDBITE (English), Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), The violence unleashed by Lukashenko is not a sign of strength. It is a desperate revenge before the regime's collapse, revenge on us, for our unwavering support for the people of Belarus, an attempt by Lukashenko and Putin to destabilise and divide the EU.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Ryszard Antoni LEGUTKO (ECR, PL), This is a civilisation type of conflict. This calls for cooperation within the European Union, but also NATO, common energy policy in the European Union.