Ashton: If people are not released, economic sanctions are not excluded
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has stated that the adopted conclusions on Belarus is not the severest variant of all the options.
"It is clearly stated in the conclusions that we will continue watching the situation and probably review all the aspects [of EU-Belarus relations]. It is important to have a well-balanced approach. However, we clearly note that we want the situation to improve. And we will get back to this issue if there is no improvement and if the people are not released", — Catherine Ashton answered to the question why the European Ministers didn't dare to impose economic sanctions on Belarus.
"It is clearly stated in the conclusions that we will continue watching the situation and probably review all the aspects [of EU-Belarus relations]. It is important to have a well-balanced approach. However, we clearly note that we want the situation to improve. And we will get back to this issue if there is no improvement and if the people are not released", — Catherine Ashton answered to the question why the European Ministers didn't dare to impose economic sanctions on Belarus.