Europe tired of valueless promises of Belarusian authorities
16- 8.05.2008, 18:34
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU’s Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, said she was deeply disappointed with the latest events in Belarus.
The European commissioner said it in the letter to Alyaksandr Milinkevich, leader of the “For Freedom” movement.
As the press service of the politician informed on 7 May, B. Ferrero-Waldner was concerned about continuing politically motivated arrests and persecution of civil society representatives in Belarus. The European commissioner thinks the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic proclamation was followed by cruel suppression of peaceful demonstrations and outrageous attempts to attack independent media.
B. Ferrero-Waldner writes she was deeply disappointed with these events, though there have recently been certain political signals, connected with release of five from six prisoners, who were recognised political prisoners by the international community; withdrawal of charges against the Belarusian Helsinki Committee as well as settled intention of Belarus to invite a group of long-term OSCE/ODIHR observers at the parliamentary election in September. These steps have evoked hope that Belarusian regime will act in positive direction.
UE Commissioner reminds about the conversation with Valer Varanetski, deputy minister of foreign affaires of Belarus, held on 7 March when signing an agreement on creating European Commission office in Belarus. The subject of the conversation was an issue of political prisoners, in particular Alyaksandr Kazulin, who must be unconditionally released if Belarus wants to develop closer relations with the EU.
Other steps towards democratisation, observance of human rights and rule of law will obviously be needed for beginning of full partnership between Belarus and the EU. From this point of view holding of parliamentary election 2008 will be determinative. The EU will follow the events during the election,” B. Ferrero-Waldner emphasised.
