European Union and Lukashenka speak different languages

The delegation of the European Commission which is on a visit in Belarus, has met with the Vice Prime Minister Andrei Kabyakou. The European Politicians spoke about human rights, while Belarusian officials about the economy.

During the meeting with the Vice Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kabyakou, the European Commission’s Directorate-General Director for External Relations Hugh Mingarelli reminded that the political leadership of the EU has adopted the decision to renew contacts with Belarus at the level of Ministers and partially lift sanctions. “In the next 6 month we are set to maintain the dialogue with the authorities of Belarus in order to discuss issues in such spheres as freedom of mass media, development of the system of non-governmental organisations, improvement of the electoral code, law on defense of labour and freedom of speech,” the head of the European Commission said.

As said by him, holding democratic changes in Belarus in these spheres would allow the country to become a full-fledged participant of the European policy of good neighbourhood, in the framework of which the EU is ready to offer reinforcement of political and economic cooperation, facilitation of traveling through borders and interpersonal communications.

Hugh Mingarelli has also underlined that the offer by the EU to expand areas of cooperation with Belarus are the first steps, but “Belarus is so important neighbour of the EU, that we are ready to do more”. “At the same time, in order to make it possible, we expect reciprocal steps in such directions that human rights, rule of law, democratization,” the European Commission representative said.

Belarusian vice premier: “Cooperation with EU with emphasis on economy”

Belarus is ready to take concrete steps aimed at improving relations with the European Union and expects adequate actions from the EU, vice premier of the Belarusian government Andrei Kabyakou told at the meeting with Hugh Mingarelli, European Commission’s Directorate-General Director for External Relations.

“The Belarusian side realises necessity of working over the so called hometask, outlined by the EU, but counts on adequate actions of the European Union,” A. Kabyakou said.

The vice premier thinks that “the latest steps made by Belarus towards the EU turn a new page in the relations”. He emphasised that a decision to lift “far-fetched restriction and barriers in mutual relations” was a good measure of the European Union and Belarus hoped “this process will gain momentum”.

“We positively evaluate the European Union’s decision to suspend visa restrictions and restore contacts with Belarusian authorities,” A. Kabyakou noted, adding that Belarus believes “these decisions are intermediary on the way towards establishing full-scale cooperation”.