Belarus demanded from Germany to close the branch of the Goethe-Institut

Belarus demanded that Germany close the Goethe Institute and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in the republic, the press service of the German Foreign Ministry said.

This step will only lead to further isolation of the country in the international community, noted in Berlin.

“We regret the decision of the Belarusian side, which demands the cessation of all activities of the Goethe-Institut and the German Academic Exchange Service in Belarus,” the message says.

The Goethe Institute and DAAD have been building cultural and academic ties between Germany, Europe and Belarus for decades, the German Foreign Office noted. In the event of termination of these ties, Belarusian citizens will suffer first of all, who “will be deprived of the possibility of social and cultural activities.”

On June 24, the EU for the first time introduced sectoral sanctions against Belarus. These include a ban on the import of petroleum products and potash fertilizers and financial restrictions. The new restrictions were a response to "growing human rights violations, brutal repression against civil society, democratic opposition and journalists," Brussels said. The reason for the sanctions was also the forced landing of a Ryanair plane in MINSK in May and the subsequent arrest of Roman Protasevich, former editor-in-chief of the Nexta TELEGRAM channel recognized as extremist in Belarus, and Russian woman Sofia Sapieha.

In response to the actions of the European Union, Minsk announced its decision to withdraw from the Eastern Partnership initiative, which provides for visa facilitation. The Belarusian side also decided to suspend the readmission agreement (admission back to its territory of its citizens subject to deportation) and recall the Permanent Representative of Belarus to the EU Alexander Mikhnevich.

The European Union expressed its regret over the decision of the Belarusian side. Brussels believes that this step, which "is yet another demonstration of the regime's disregard for the Belarusian people," will only lead to further isolation of the country.

The Goethe-Institut promotes the German language abroad and expands international cooperation in the field of culture, holds exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events DAAD - scientific exchange programs for scientists and students.