The Council of the European Union approved this Saturday a new package of sanctions against Belarus, aiming to prevent Russia from circumventing restrictive measures through Minsk.
Among the approved sanctions is a ban on the import of coal, crude oil and any mineral products, gold, diamonds or helium from Belarus.
On the other hand, Brussels prohibited countries from exporting dual-use goods and technologies to Minsk, that is, those that can be suitable for the military and civil domains, as well as products for refining oil.
The EU has also stopped the provision of certain services to Belarus, from accounting to advertising, whether intended for the Government, public bodies or any person or company acting under the country’s orders.
As detailed in a statement, the veto also covers audit services, legal advice, financial, business and information technology consultancy, architecture, engineering, advertising and public relations, analysis of market and product testing and technical inspection services.
In terms of transport, the sanctions provide for a ban on the use of trailers and semi-trailers, registered in Belarus, for the road transport of goods within the EU.
The new sanctions oblige EU companies that export firearms, ammunition and sensitive technologies outside the EU market to include the so-called “non-Belarus clause” in their contracts.
This clause excludes the possibility of re-exporting the goods in question to Belarus.
The EU also canceled the transit of dual-use goods and technologies through Belarusian territory.
On Monday, the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia had been approved, following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
