EU Official in Lebanon to Address Poland-Belarus Border Situation

Beirut is the second stop in a series of visits made by European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas to engage with partner countries, which are key in helping the European Union to put a stop to the unscrupulous instrumentalization and weaponization of people by the Lukashenko regime.

"Change is happening," Schinas said, adding that he was in Dubai Thursday and that he was "impressed by the commitment of authorities of the UAE to work with us to put an end to these practices."

Schinas saluted the decision by the Turkish Civil Aviation authority to "also limit this type of operations."

He said that he got "assurances" from his interlocutors in Lebanon that "they are also ready to work with us on this on that respect."

"We must build, and we are doing it, an international coalition against the use of people as political pawns," Schinas said.

"Let me be very clear about what is happening: people are being sold a lie by smugglers who fly them to Minsk and create the impression that they will ensure safe passage to Europe," he added.

"This is happening via partner countries, regional hubs, and this will not be allowed to continue."

"We have already enacted a series of sanctions against the Belarusian regime and will be reinforcing those with a fifth package that will come into force next week," Schinas went on to say.

He added that "now, we are working side-by-side with the US and others that these sanctions are effective as of December."

"When it comes to the European Union," Schinas said, "we are working with partners in the region to make sure that they understand and contribute to our efforts. I want to thank all of them for their openness and constructive spirit."

The Vice-President announced that the European Commission is also "engaging with talks with air carriers from third countries that are involved in these operations" and that "efforts are being dividend."

"As President von der Leyen already underlined, we have at our disposal powerful means, tools and instruments, to act," Schinas said, adding that he is confident that "we will not be forced to use it, because, as I was saying earlier, change is already happening."

Schinas thanked Lebanon for the "significant efforts already undertaken to limit the number of flights to Minsk and to their overall commitment in the joint-management of refugee challenges in the region."

"We are seeing progress on all fronts," Schinas told a press conference in Lebanon, adding that he would soon be travelling to Iraq and Turkey.