"Belgium is ready to take part in resolving the problem of Chechnya both on the bilateral footing and within the framework of the European Union. We are ready to assist in the economic rehabilitation of the Chechen republic. This is why we have taken the decision not to let in Zakayev, which would discredit our country from this point of view," de Gucht said in a live transmission of the Moscow Echo radio station.
"The point is that Zakayev is listed by Interpol and may not enter the countries of the Schengen zone," the Belgian foreign minister explained. "It means that, if Zakayev appears in the territory of Belgium, we'll arrest him and accompany to the nearest Schengen border, or most probably send him back to Great Britain," de Gucht said.
To him, it will be "the technical answer."
As regards the "political position of Belgium", its foreign minister noted: "We don't want talks to be held in the Belgian territory with people known to have been terrorists who have not parted with the idea of terrorism."
"We also think that talks between Zakayev and soldiers' mothers will be no success," he said.
In October Zakayev was going to come to Brussels to meet with a delegation of the Russian Soldiers' Mothers' Committee. The Belgian authorities warned that, if Zakayev enters the country, he will be arrested and expelled to Great Britain, where he enjoys the "political refugee" status.
