Expert on closure of Belarus’ border checkpoints by Poland: no logic

In his talk with Alfa Radio, the Dean of the Journalism Faculty at the Belarusian State University, political expert Aleksei Belyaev, commented on the statement of Poland’s Minister of Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak that the border crossings will remain closed until there is good will on the part of Belarus in this matter

The expert called the Polish politician’s statement very strange, “The Polish side once closed the border crossings, appealing to the fact that the elections in Belarus are non-democratic, and sanctions are being imposed against our country. At present, the opening of border crossings has come down to Polish demands to release a criminal from our prison. He promoted the values in Belarus that were completely alien to our people, called for the return of Belarusian lands to the Polish state, confronted various social, religious and ethnic groups, and glorified the activities of the Armia Krajowa that had been killing Belarusians in Western Belarus. Those actions were absolutely criminal from the point of view of Belarus, and there could be no other punishment. However, for some reason, Polish officials associate the opening of border crossings with the release of this person. There is no logic in this matter, it is like comparing sour and square.”

Mr. Belyaev noted that Polish entrepreneurs suffer heavy losses due to closed border crossings, “They have repeatedly appealed to their authorities with a request to open the border. At present, there is only one checkpoint where cars and trucks can pass. Inspections are being tightened by Polish border guards who work not at their full capacity, and many-kilometre queues are forming. The Polish government wants to show its strength and importance: Belarusians used to travel to Poland but – from their point of view – they have been punished and deprived of cheap washing powders and jeans now. In practice, it turns out to be exactly the opposite. Markets have closed on the border with Belarus, and Polish businesses are suffering huge economic losses. Belarusians have not stopped wearing jeans or washing with detergents: they simply use either domestic products and those imported from other markets.”

The expert added that ordinary Poles visit Belarus with pleasure, using the opportunity of the visa-free regime – ‘despite the fact that the Polish authorities frighten them and create obstacles for doing that’.

In conclusion, Mr. Belyaev noted that Poland's statement about the lack of goodwill on the part of Belarus is completely untrue, “Belarus is ready to establish this communication at any time, but we do not accept blackmail, pressure, and mixing of different aspects.”