-POLAND:

The European Union (EU) is considering imposing sanctions on Turkish Airlines, Belavia, and FlyDubai, as investigations have revealed that they are behind the transfer of migrants by direct flights to the Belarusian capital, Minsk.

Reuters reports that it has received information from three European Union officials who have remained anonymous that new EU sanctions are expected to take effect early next week, most likely during a meeting of EU foreign ministers on 15 November.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the sanctions could target airlines other than Belarus’ state-run Belavia.

“The EU will investigate the imposition of sanctions, which will include a blacklist of third-country airlines involved in human trafficking,” Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.

Such a move could ban Belavia, Turkish Airlines & FlyDubai flights throughout the European Union and that is why Turkey is already trying to patch up the issue.

On the occasion of Poland’s Independence Day, which is being celebrated today, Turkey issued a statement through its Foreign Ministry stating that it is on Poland’s side against illegal immigration, while the Polish Prime Minister formally accused Turkey of coordinating with Belarus and Russia against of Poland.

The situation is very tense and despite the big words of EU officials, it is not so likely that they will submit a flight ban to Turkish Airlines at the moment, as from there on there will be no return to relations with Turkey.

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