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Estonian FM refutes claims of blocking EU sanctions against Syria

05 May 2011 21:33 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet refutes here Thursday claims by the EU Observer that Estonia is blocking pending EU sanctions against Syria, fearing that the political move may impact Estonia’s hostage crisis, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"The case of seven Estonian cyclists kidnapped in Lebanon is a hidden reason for Estonia’s reluctance to back EU sanctions on Syrian officials," wrote the EU Observer on Thursday, according to a report by Estonian Public Broadcasting.

The minister rejected in a statement saying that "Estonia is not blocking the European Union in imposing sanctions on Syria. We support the consensus decision over mandating sanctions."

"Estonia, and I presume all EU nations, wish to make a thought- out decision in order for the sanctions to actually help achieve their goal. And the goal is to end violence in Syria."

In March, seven Estonians on a cycling trip were kidnapped near Lebanon’s border with Syria. One theory has been, the EU Observer reported, that the tourists were abducted by Palestinian militants to avenge Israel’s kidnapping of a member of Hamas in February, and that the Estonians are being held in Syria.

EU countries imposed an embargo on weapon sales to Syria, where hundreds of protesters have been killed by police since March, according to human rights workers.

Led by Britain, EU countries want to enforce more sanctions, including a visa ban and asset freeze on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is responsible for the slaughtering of protesters.

The EU Observer reported that only three countries -- Cyprus and Greece, which are geographically and historically closest to Syria, and Estonia -- have opposed the new sanctions.

"Why are they blocking? Just google ’Estonia’ and ’cyclists’ or take a look at their foreign ministry website to see what is going on," an anonymous EU representative reportedly told the EU Observer.

Last month, a video recording of the Estonian hostages was sent to the Foreign Ministry and posted on YouTube.

Earlier, the kidnappers have claimed they represent an organization called the Movement of Rebirth and Reform. A letter sent on April 6 to the government agencies and the media said that the kidnapped Estonians are in good health and that the organization demands a ransom. No further details were given about contacting the sender or the sum of ransom.