On Wednesday 19 August 2020, EU leaders met by video conference in a session of the European Council to discuss the situation in Belarus following the presidential election on 9 August.
The EU has been following recent developments with growing concern. Based on reports from international observers, who concluded that the elections were neither free nor fair, the EU has decided not to recognise the results.
Members of the European Council also condemned the disproportionate violence by state authorities against peaceful protesters and called for the immediate and unconditional release of those illegally detained. The EU will shortly impose sanctions on a substantial number of those responsible for violence, repression and falsification of election results.
To provide lasting solutions, the members of the European Council have called on the Belarusian authorities to immediately end all violence and begin an inclusive national dialogue, supported by a strong civil society and independent and free media. The EU has called on all third countries to support such a peaceful and democratic process.
In his speech, Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, expressed his solidarity with the Belarusian people in their struggle for a strong democracy: “The results of the 9 August elections and the violence that followed are unacceptable. This repression must end immediately. We support the Belarusian people and we will do our utmost to initiate an inclusive national dialogue based on the OSCE proposals in Belarus. I call on all third countries, including Russia, to support this internal process towards democratic change."
The EU leaders also discussed the situation in the eastern Mediterranean and relations with Turkey. The European Council decided to come back to these questions at the next meeting scheduled for mid-September. The worrying events in Mali were also the subject of discussion among the heads of state or government.
