EU protests against expelling US diplomats from Belarus

• 7.05.2008, 10:46

The European Union called on Belarus to reconsider the decision on expelling American diplomats.

Slovenia, which is holding presidency in the EU now, said expelling of 10 American diplomats was “illegal and harmful to the interests of Belarusian people.”

The EU Presidency expressed solidarity with the United States and its diplomatic service.

On behalf of the European Union Slovenia called on the Belarusian authorities to review this decision and take urgent steps which would allow to normalise Belarus-US relations on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The relations between Belarus and the US become strained in March after the US Department of Treasury published on its site clarification to the sanction imposed against Belneftekhim company in November 2007. Belarusian ambassador to the US Mikhail Khvastou was recalled from Washington for consultations on 7 March. US ambassador Karen Stewart left Minsk on 12 March at the insistence of the Belarusian side. The US was recommended to reduce its embassy staff. On 27 March 17 American diplomats left Minsk, 15 persons remained to work. 11 American diplomats left Minsk at the insistence of the Belarusian side on 3 May.