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EU looks to tighten visa restrictions on Belarus

For "instrumentalising" irregular migration flows

29 September, 15:34
(ANSA-AFP) - BRUSSELS, SEP 29 - The EU on Wednesday announced it plans to tighten visa requirements for Belarus officials in retaliation for Minsk "instrumentalising" irregular migration flows and putting pressure on the bloc's external borders.

"We're addressing a new worrisome form of smuggling, which is the increasing role of state actors in artificially creating and facilitating irregular migration using people as tools for political purposes," European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas told a media conference. "The latest tactics by the Belarus regime against the EU and our member states require a united response," he said. The proposed restrictions would add to sanctions the European Union already imposes on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and 165 of his closest aides, which include banning them from travelling into the EU's 27 member countries. (ANSA-AFP).

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