Committee on Foreign Affairs condemns interception of Ryanair flight by Belarusian authorities

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Chair Charlie Flanagan TD said: “Members unanimously agreed the motion that the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence:  

• Condemns unequivocally the unlawful act by the Belarusian authorities of the interception of a Ryanair flight between Greece and Lithuania on Sunday 23rd May
• Acknowledges the set of sanctions proposed by the EU Council in response to this unlawful act
• Urges the European Council and European Commission to continue to monitor the situation in Belarus
• Calls for the unconditional release of Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega and for guarantees for their freedom of movement to be provided
• Calls on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to ensure that the matter is raised at the earliest opportunity at the United Nations Security Council and at European Union Foreign Affairs Council”  

Committee members agreed the motion at a meeting, yesterday, 25th May, 2021.