Sweden expels Belarus diplomats

Swedish Foreign Minister has decided not to welcome the new Belarus Sweden of the two of its representatives in retaliation to Belarus Government's decision to expel the Swedish Ambassador to Belarus.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has said Belarus Governments decision to expel the Swedish Ambassador to that country is a serious breach of the norms for relations between states.

In retaliation Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has said that “ the Embassy of Belarus in Stockholm will be informed during the day that the proposed new Belarus Ambassador is not welcome here and that the residence permits in Sweden of two of its representatives will be withdrawn."

He further said that:

"The Lukashenko regime's expulsion of Sweden's Ambassador to Belarus is a serious breach of the norms for relations between states.

The accusations directed at the Ambassador by the regime are without foundation. That Sweden is broadly committed to democracy and human rights in Belarus is no secret, and Ambassador Eriksson has represented this Swedish policy in a creditable and important way.

We have informed other EU countries about this matter. I also spoke to Catherine Ashton about the situation earlier in the day.

Ambassador Eriksson will continue his work with an even clearer focus on the work for democracy and human rights in Belarus.

We will also, in consultation with other EU countries, examine ways to further strengthen these efforts.

- Asian Tribune –

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