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Lukashenko reminds EU of migration crisis origins

MINSK, 31 July (BelTA) - Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko reaffirmed Belarus' readiness for negotiations on migration issues as he met with heads of Belarus’ diplomatic missions in Minsk on 31 July, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian leader recalled human rights violations with Western neighbors pushing across the border into Belarus the corpses of migrants whom the West itself had lured to its “paradise”.

“They invited them there. We have said this repeatedly. We had agreements with Western partners on many points. We even implemented this migration policy to our own detriment in some areas. Essentially, our migration policies protected them from these migrant waves by containing them here. Then, after coordinating with Russia, we signed readmission agreements to send them back home,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “The EU imposed completely unjustified, illegal sanctions against us. I said frankly that I won't defend you with ‘a noose around my neck’. Especially after you severed all migration policy relations with us.”

“Nevertheless, we remain open to any negotiations and discussions, including on migration policy,” the president concluded.

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