The European Commission published the following statement on Friday:

"European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas visited Beirut today - the second stop in a tour of partner countries key to putting a stop to the instrumentalisation of migrants by the Belarusian regime. 

In Beirut, the Vice-President met with President of the Lebanese Republic General Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdallah Bou Habib, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, and Minister of Interior and Municipalities Bassam Mawlawi.

VP Schinas delivered the following press statement at the Grand Serail: "Beirut is the second stop in a series of visits I am making to engage with partner countries, which are key in help the European Union to put a stop to the unscrupulous instrumentalisation and weaponisation of people by the Lukashenko regime.
Change is happening. I was in Dubai yesterday where I was impressed by commitment of authorities of the UAE to work with us to put an end to these practises.I would like to salute publicly the decision by the Turkish Civil Aviation authority to also limit this type of operations.

And, I got assurances from my interlocutors here in Lebanon that they are also ready to work with us on this on that respect.

We must build, and we are doing it, an international coalition against the use of people as political pawns.
Let me be very clear about what is happening: people are being sold a lie by smugglers who fly them to Minsk and create the impression that they will ensure safe passage to Europe. This is happening via partner countries, regional hubs, and this will not be allowed to continue.

We have already enacted a series of sanctions against the Belarusian regime and will be reinforcing those with a fifth package that will come into force next week. And now, we are working side-by-side with the US and others that these sanctions are effective as of December.

When it comes to the European Union, we are working with partners in the region to make sure that they understand and contribute to our efforts. I want to thank all of them for their openness and constructive spirit.
We are also engaging with talks with air carriers from third countries that are involved in these operations. I think that efforts are being dividend.

As President von der Leyen already underlined, we have at our disposal powerful means, tools and instruments, to act. I am confident that we will not be forced to use it, because, as I was saying earlier, change is already happening.

I want to thank Lebanon for the significant efforts already undertaken to limit the number of flights to Minsk and to their overall commitment in the joint-management of refugee challenges in the region."