[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The European Union (EU) has announced a new measure to sanction companies that smuggle refugees into border areas of member states. This move is interpreted as the EU stepping up sanctions against Belarus amid recent accusations that Belarus is conducting "pushback attacks" by forcing refugees from the Middle East into the borders of EU member states.
According to the dpa news agency on the 23rd (local time), the European Commission (EC) plans to suspend or revoke operating permits granted within the EU to companies directly or indirectly involved in refugee smuggling, or restrict their access to airspace or ports.
The agency added that this measure is intended to respond to the refugee crisis occurring at the borders between Belarus and EU member states such as Poland.
If this plan is adopted by EU member states and the European Parliament, the EC explained that these 'blacklisted' companies could face suspension or reduction of their travel agency operations involved in transporting refugees.
Recently, the EU has been in serious conflict with Belarus over the refugee issue.
The EU views the Belarusian dictatorship as instigating the refugee problem in retaliation against the EU's economic sanctions. It is claimed that Belarus is bringing migrants and refugees from the Middle East and pushing them toward the borders of EU member states such as Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia in a "pushback attack."
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, explained, "Belarus's strategy depends on the collusion of travel operators and intermediaries," stating that these companies sell package deals including visas, airline tickets, hotels, and taxis to the border.
The EC also announced that it will allocate an additional 200 million euros (approximately 267.6 billion KRW), three times the previous amount, to maintain border security in the three member states most affected by this refugee crisis.
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