Euoropean Uninon Refuses to Recognize Lukashenko as Belarus President

Josep Borrell, Foreign Minister (FM) of the European Union (EU) refused on Thursday to recognize Alexander Lukashenko as legitimate president of Belarus, despite his unexpectedly sworn in yesterday.

Borrell said in a statement, that the August 9 elections were neither free nor fair."

He added that the European Union does not recognize the forged results, therefore, the so-called 'swearing-in' on September 23 and the new term that Alexander Lukashenko says he is taking over have no democratic legitimacy."

Lukashenko, whose re-election sparked massive demonstrations in the country, was unexpectedly sworn in Wednesday during a ceremony held out of sight.

This immediately triggered a new opposition demonstration in Minsk, which was suppressed by the security forces and arrested a number of people.

Borrell added that taking the oath "directly contradicts the desire of large segments of the Belarusian people, expressed during several peaceful and unprecedented demonstrations, and will only exacerbate the political crisis" in the country.

"In view of the current situation, the European Union is reviewing its relations with Belarus," he said.

The European Union has prepared sanctions against forty figures considered responsible for the repression and is also considering imposing sanctions on President Alexander Lukashenko, according to diplomatic sources.

However, the consensus of the member states is necessary for the adoption of such a decision, and Cyprus has linked its agreement to the adoption of measures to compel Turkey to stop drilling for gas in the waters of its economic zone.

Two countries, Sweden and Finland, refuse to impose sanctions on Lukashenko in order to make way for the mediation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which will be chaired by Sweden, as the same sources added.

The issue will be discussed during the summit of European leaders on October 1 and 2 in Brussels.

Borrell said on Thursdaythat the EU reiterates that the Belarusian authorities to refrain from any additional oppression and violence against the people of the country and to immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested" in the context of the demonstrations.

He urged the Belarusian authorities to call for "new democratic elections" in the country soon.

The Belarusian opposition called, today, Wednesday, for an immediate civil disobedience campaign, after the inauguration ceremony of Alexander Lukashenko as president.

The opposition leaders also demanded new presidential elections.

Lukashenko's winning of the sixth term is still disputed in the country and in the members of the European Union (EU).

These calls coincide with the swearing-in of President Lukashenko for a new term in a surprise inauguration without prior announcement.

The newly inaugurated president is an ally of the Russian leader and the two presidents held talk's days ago to unify Russia and Belarus in one state.

A member of the Opposition Coordinating Council, Pavel Latushko, said on social media that the opposition will never accept Lukashenko's victory in the election and demand new presidential elections.

"We call on everyone to start a campaign of civil disobedience immediately," Latushko added.

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Belarus is witnessing a wave of protests since Lukashenko won a new presidential term in the elections that were held on the ninth of last month.

On Wednesday, Lukashenko was sworn in for a new presidential term, during an inauguration ceremony held at the Minsk Independence Palace without announcing in advance.

The official Belarusian News Agency "Belta" confirmed that Lukashenko officially assumed the duties of the country's president for a sixth consecutive term, noting that the inauguration ceremony was held with the presence of several hundreds of people, including senior officials, members of the House of Representatives, the Republic Council, federal and local officials and directors of official media, in addition to prominent figures in the field of science, culture and sport.

Belta stated that Lukashenko took the constitutional oath, pledging to serve the people of Belarus, respect and protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.

He vowed to abide by Belarusian constitution, defend it and perform his duties "in good conscience.