The European Union sees progress in resolving the migrant crisis and expands sanctions against Belarus

The European Union announced that it is making progress in dealing with the migration crisis at the border between Belarus and Poland, while European officials revealed the union's intention to set new standards to impose sanctions on individuals and entities that facilitate illegal entry to the bloc's countries from Belarus.

On Monday, many asylum seekers tried to cross the border to enter Poland from Belarus, where there are currently about 4,000 asylum seekers at the two countries' borders

European officials revealed Friday the intention of the European Union to set new criteria for imposing sanctions on individuals and entities that facilitate illegal entry into the bloc's countries from Belarus.

Anadolu Agency quoted officials, who preferred not to be named, that the EU would address the crisis with Belarus during its foreign ministers meeting on November 15.

They noted that the union will set new criteria for imposing sanctions on individuals and organizations that facilitate illegal entry to the bloc's countries from Belarus.

“These standards aim to establish a legal framework that helps punish those who endanger the lives of irregular migrants in the cold of winter,” one of them said.

On the other hand, the European Union announced Friday that it is making progress in dealing with the migration crisis at the border between Belarus and Poland, according to Agence France-Presse.

European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas announced Friday that efforts to stem the flow of migrants massing at the border between Belarus and the European Union are bearing fruit.

"The overall situation is that we are witnessing progress on all fronts," Shinas said at a press conference in Lebanon, adding that he would travel to Iraq and Turkey soon.

On Monday, many asylum seekers tried to cross the border to enter Poland from Belarus, where there are currently about 4,000 asylum seekers at the two countries' borders, according to the Polish news agency.

The European Union accuses Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of coordinating the arrival of the wave of migrants to the eastern side of the bloc, in response to European sanctions imposed on his country after the "brutal repression" exercised by his regime against the opposition.