Lukashenka finds it difficult to accept EU’s offers

Alyaksandr Lukashenka thinks the European Union offers unacceptable conditions for dialog with Belarus.

“Europe doesn’t want normalisation relation with Belarus, it went too far and can’t find the way out preserving dignity,” A. Lukashenka said in the interview to Spanish newspaper El País.

‘If the EU has determination to do it, we will have a dialog on establishing closer relations. We want it, but the EU doesn’t want it and offers unacceptable conditions,” the Belarusian head of state said.

It should be reminded that a year has passed since the European Commission published a document “What the European Union could bring to Belarus.” It offers the country full partnership in the frames of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and lists the benefits the Belarusians could have from partnership between Belarus and the EU. In particular easier travel to the EU, work and study in the EU, increased business and trade opportunities in the EU, EU assistance for Belarus to carry-out the necessary reforms of the healthcare and education sectors, public administration and local government.

The Belarusian authorities should “take concrete measures to respect democracy, human rights and the rule of law” to become a full member of the ENP. These measures include in particular the release of all political prisoners, respect for freedom of speech, media and association, holding of free and fair elections, investigation of cases of disappeared persons and respect for the rights of minorities.