The EU says it supports the Belarusian people's democratic right to elect their president through new, free elections.
The European Union has responded to Belarus' call to withdraw the diplomatic missions of Poland and Lithuania, saying that it is "unfounded and regrettable."
"The demand of the Belarusian authorities that Poland and Lithuania withdraw their ambassadors and significantly reduce their diplomatic representations in Minsk is unfounded and regrettable," says a statement by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on October 4.
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"It goes against the logic of dialogue and will only further isolate the authorities in Minsk," the statement says.
Attempts by the Belarusian authorities to target certain EU Member States will not succeed in weakening EU unity, which was clearly reaffirmed by the European Council on October 1, when all EU Member States called on the Belarusian authorities to end violence and repression, release all detainees and political prisoners, respect media freedom and civil society, and start an inclusive national dialogue.
"The EU continues to support the democratic right of the Belarusian people to elect their President through new free and fair elections, without external interference," Borrell said.