Belarus expels European ambassadors

Belarus expelled the Ambassador of the European Union and that of Poland on the 28 February 2012, marking a fresh low in the strained relationship between Minsk and the EU.

The move by the Belarusian foreign ministry followed a decision by the EU to expand the number of people affected by sanctions for helping repress opposition in the former Soviet republic.

Catherine Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said in a statement that all EU ambassadors to Belarus would be withdrawn 'for consultations' following the announcement by the foreign ministry.

EUObserver, 28.2.12: EU ambassadors quit Minsk in tit-for-tat move http://euobserver.com/24/115414

EU: EEAS: EU relations with Belarus http://eeas.europa.eu/belarus/index_en.htm

ESO: Background information: The EU and Belarus: Sanctions? What Sanctions? http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eu-and-belarus-sanctions-what-sanctions/

BBC News, 28.2.12: EU recalls ambassadors to Belarus http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17196078

Deutsche Welle, 29.2.12: EU recalls all ambassadors from Belarus http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15774686,00.html

France24, 28.2.12: EU nations recall envoys from Belarus in sanctions row http://www.france24.com/en/20120228-belarus-minsk-european-union-sanctions

Gazeta Wyborcza / Rzeczpospolita, 29.2.12: Minsk triggers diplomatic war (via PressEurop0 http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/1563421-minsk-triggers-diplomatic-war

Polskie Radio, 29.2.12; Poland maintains 'solidarity' with Belarusians http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/91792,Poland-maintains-solidarity-with-Belarusians

EUObserver, 29.2.12: EU and Belarus preparing extra counter-measures http://euobserver.com/24/115432

EUObserver, 19.3.12: Belarus executions compound EU outrage http://euobserver.com/9/115628

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