Portuguese MEP: sanctions against Belarus and Russia absolutely irrational

Every nation has the right to choose its economic and social model without interference from external forces – as noted by member of the Portuguese Parliament António Filipe Gaião Rodrigues during an online meeting with Sergei Klishevich, a deputy of the House of Representatives of Belarus’ National Assembly

“We are critical of the policy of sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union, e.g., everyone knows that there has been a sanctions policy against Cuba for decades. This embargo has led to poverty and suffering of the Cuban people,” the Portuguese MEP recalled.

He stressed that the Portuguese Parliament has been strongly critical of the sanctions policy, “We believe that every nation has the right to choose its economic and social model without interference from external forces. The policy of the European Union and the United States is to impose sanctions against any countries and peoples that go against their hegemonic goals and that do not submit to their influence. We also follow with interest all the processes that are taking place in the world, especially those coming from the countries that have suffered from sanctions and are trying to take measures to minimise the effect of them. We are watching with interest the BRICS countries, looking at the steps that China is taking to make the world truly multipolar.”

Mr. Rodrigues expressed confidence that the sanctions against Belarus and Russia are absolutely irrational, “Sanctions have a two-way effect. They have a negative impact on the processes that take place both in those countries against which they are directed and in those that impose them. They have led to huge negative consequences, particularly for the European economy. The fact that Germany has fallen into recession is a consequence of the sanctions policy.”