Solana wants to discuss “disappointing elections” with Martynau
- 7.10.2008, 14:37
Head of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affaires Syarhei Martynau, is to discuss fulfilling of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations with the representatives of the European institutions on the invitation of EU’s High Representative Javier Solana.
As Cristina Gallach, spokesperson for Mr Solana, told in an interview to BelaPAN, a decision to invite the Belarusian minister was taken after the electoral campaign in the country had been analysed thoroughly by EU’s countries ambassadors in Belarus, and Mr Solana.
Ms Gallach reminded that on September 15, EU’s foreign ministers said Brussels were ready to review sanctions against the Belarusian officials and increase assistance to the country after estimation of the “parliamentary elections” in Belarus. The spokesperson emphasised the importance of the recent “elections” and called them “disappointing”.
The spokesperson for Javier Solana said they would like all OSCE recommendation to be fulfilled and hoped that the Belarusian authorities would continue its positive steps, like release of political prisoners, and the EU would be able to normalise the relations with Belarus.
Martynau is supposed to have talks with Mr Solana and representatives of the EU’s institutions. According to Ms Gallach, agenda and format of meetings may be changed.
The foreign ministry of Belarus restrains from any comments so far.
It should be reminded that the “parliamentary elections” in Belarus were held on September 28. 264 candidates run for 110 seats in the “parliament”. About 100 representatives of the opposition participated in the “elections”, but none of them got to the “parliament”.
The OSCE/ODIHR election observing mission didn’t recognise the “parliamentary elections” in Belarus free and democratic. OSCE observers noted “bad or very bad” process of vote count in 50 per cent of the cases. 40 per cent of the observers weren’t able to monitor the vote counting in full. OSCE observers noticed cases of falsification. The elections ultimately fell short of OSCE standards.
