Pursuant to the Government of
Canada’s commitment to diplomatic re-engagement with the international
community, and in response to recent positive developments in Belarus, Global
Affairs Canada will initiate the regulatory process to remove Belarus from the
Area Control List (ACL), thereby lifting sanctions that have been in place
since December 14, 2006.
This announcement is
consistent with actions taken by the United States and the European Union since
October 2015 (see links below). It also reflects Canada’s acknowledgment that
the Government of Belarus has made progress in key areas in recent months,
including the release of political prisoners and conducting a presidential
election in October 2015, which demonstrated greater adherence to international
norms and was not marked by the levels of violence and intimidation seen in
past elections.
Canada also recognizes the constructive role played by Belarus
in facilitating negotiations toward a ceasefire and peace agreement in
Ukraine—the Minsk agreements—in September 2014 and February 2015.
As an interim measure while
the regulatory process to remove Belarus from the ACL moves forward, Global
Affairs Canada will normally issue export permits for the export to Belarus of
goods and technology that are not specifically listed in the Export Control
List. This practice will take effect immediately.
Going forward, Canada will
continue to monitor the evolving situation in Belarus and will engage with the
Government of Belarus in order to advance human rights, democratic standards
and norms, and respect for the rights of civil society.
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