Thanks to BELPOL, we learned today that Vladimir Orlovsky, the so-called Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus, is scheduled to visit Brussels on June 27-29, 2024, to participate in the session of the World Customs Organization Council in Brussels.
Regarding the situation on the border, it's clear that the EU, and specifically Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, are not to blame. The current situation is primarily a result of the hybrid aggression jointly orchestrated by the Lukashenko regime and Russia. Their combined military aggression against Ukraine also plays a significant role. Therefore, the issue of reopening border crossings can only be resolved by addressing the root cause – the aggression must end.
This raises several questions.
Is Lukashenko (and by extension, his chief customs officer) capable of guaranteeing an end to the hybrid aggression against the EU? Can he guarantee an end to Belarus's complicity in the war against Ukraine? Is anyone, including the World Customs Organization Council, willing to believe these guarantees?
Finally, what are Lukashenko and his representative truly concerned about: the free movement of Belarusian citizens across the EU border or the movement of goods? All those questions are rhetorical, of course.
Lukashenko is a Kremlin puppet. His position hinges entirely on Moscow's will, guarantees, and resources. Consequently, his regime is incapable of making independent decisions or providing any genuine guarantees.
However, the Belarusian people are not synonymous with the Lukashenko regime. We, the Belarusian democratic forces, advocate for simplified travel for Belarusians, the majority of whom oppose Lukashenko, the war, and support democracy.
At the same time, we consider it completely unacceptable to engage in trade relations with this pro-Russian dictatorship. This regime is responsible for the mass repression of Belarusians, crimes against humanity, hybrid warfare against the EU, participation in the aggression against Ukraine, war crimes (including the deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories), and complicity in circumventing sanctions imposed on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.
It's crucial to understand that Belarus and Russia share a single customs space and are united in the so-called "Union State." Any goods entering Belarus today can freely enter Russia.
Therefore, our stance is straightforward: bridges for Belarusians, walls for the regime.
If the World Customs Organization Council is prepared to receive a representative of the Lukashenko regime, they must consider these facts and not be deceived.
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