MOSCOW. Nov 1 (Interfax) - There is no need for Russian mediation in settling the migrant crisis on the Belarus-EU border, as Minsk has been acting consistent with international law and its obligations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"I do not think there is need for mediation. I do not see any missteps of Belarus from the angle of international law or violations of its commitments," Lavrov said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 (VGTRK) television channel.
Attempts to cross from Belarus into the European Union "are being made by those who do not want to stay in the republic but seek to reach EU member states," Lavrov said.
"Demands that President Alexander Lukashenko and his law enforcement agencies stop those persons contravene principles of international law, above all, humanitarian laws. Semi-hysterical shouts coming from certain EU member states, which claim that Belarus has been intentionally organizing the influx with Russia's support, are unworthy of serious politicians," Lavrov said.
The EU does not speak a common voice on the admission of refugees, Lavrov said. For instance, Poland and Lithuania are pushing migrants wishing to enter their territories back into Belarus, while attempts are being made in Italy to prosecute former Interior Minister Matteo Salvini who refused to let refugees into Italy.
"How are the actions of the Baltic countries and Poland different from what the former minister is accused of?" Lavrov said.
Over recent months, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia have been observing an increased influx of illegal immigrants, who are trying to reach the EU through Belarus. The EU has accused Belarus of creating chaos on the EU borer by denying the readmission of illegal immigrants from the Middle East and Africa rejected by the EU.
The Baltic countries have accused Belarus of organizing migration in an act of hybrid aggression. The European Commission thinks the same.
Seeking to stop the influx of illegal immigrants, Poland and Lithuania have declared the intention to build fortifications on the border with Belarus.