Analytics, Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, GDP, Latvia, Legislation, Transport

Alexander Veshnyakov. Photo: venstpils.lv

The ambassador pointed out that Russia is against sanctions against Belarus.

''These sanctions will do no good for the people of Latvia and Belarus. Maybe those countries who have limited economic contacts with Belarus do not view this as important. However, this could be devastating for Latvia, because economic sanctions could negatively affect the country's GDP, as well as the loss of jobs and tax revenue. Latvia already has a relatively high unemployment level. Thus, in my view, Latvia should be active in making sure that the EU takes into account the economies of member states before carrying out such radical measures,'' Veshnyakov said.

As reported, on March 23, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (ZRP) will take part in a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels. The ministers will discuss the situation in Belarus, Syria and assess the EU Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel, the EU Foreign Affairs Council's homepage reports.

Rinkevics previously said that the European Union's sanctions against Belarus must not affect the economies of EU members. ''These sanctions must have a clear criteria, and must not influence the welfare of Belarus' residents, as well as the economies of EU members. This will continue to be our position in discussions within the EU."

The bloc's sanctions against Belarus could cause a loss of EUR 480.9 million to Latvia, Latvian Employers Confederation's Director General Liga Mengelsone told the Nozare.lv business portal last week.