EU Is Preparing a Plan to Help Belarus in Case of Democracy Victory

The EU stands ready to provide immediate and long-term support to Belarus to help stabilize the economy and reform its institutions once the country takes a democratic path. The European Union has prepared a comprehensive plan of economic support for Belarus in the amount of 3 billion euros in case the country starts democratic transformations. The details of the plan were published by Radio Svaboda on Friday, May 28. “After Belarus moves democratically, the EU will provide Belarus with immediate and long-term support as a priority to help stabilize the economy, reform its institutions to make them more democratic and able to benefit citizens and society as a whole. These changes are the basis for successful economic reforms to boost the economy, growth potential and create jobs, "the authors of the project said. The Comprehensive Economic Support Plan provides for a 3 billion euro long-term investment package for Belarus. Planned support focuses on the following main points and areas: activation of economic recovery through financial injections; supporting structural reforms and strengthening competitiveness; improving economic governance and private sector development; improvement of the legal framework in accordance with European standards; support for the development of human capital. It is also reported that the European Commission has sent a plan to help the leader of the opposition of Belarus Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. “The President today sent a letter to the opposition leader of Belarus Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and other opposition leaders, expressing her respect and admiration for the courage and courage of the people of Belarus. The President assured that the EU is ready to help a peaceful democratic transition and presented a comprehensive EU plan of economic support for a democratic Belarus worth 3 billion euros ", - said the spokeswoman. According to her, the plan is a package of investments based on grants and loans, attracting private investment, cooperation with international financial institutions. According to the estimates of Tikhanovskaya's office, the total volume of international financing - taking into account the EU plan, the stabilization program of the IMF, assistance from the World Bank and other organizations - will amount to about $ 10 billion for the first three years of the "new Belarus". On the eve, foreign ministers of the EU countries decided how to hit Belarus with sanctions. As reported, two days earlier the EU adopted a decision on the fifth package of sanctions against Belarus. In response, Alexander Lukashenko called on Western countries to end sanctions pressure on Belarus.