Policy of European Union towards Lukashenka discussed in Brussels
3- 15.09.2008, 8:34
On September 15 in Brussels foreign ministers of the European Union countries will discuss policy of the European Union towards the Belarusian regime. Against to expectation, Foreign Minister of Belarus Syarhei Martynau hasn’t been invited to the meeting in Brussels. Instead of him as former political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin will meet with the representatives of the European structures.
As the press-service of the French representation of the European Union informs, at the meeting on September 15-16 ministers would consider issue of relations with Balkan states, Georgia, Zimbabwe, Somalia, and continue Doha the round of talks on liberalization of world trade with the World Trade Organisation.
Besides, the heads of the foreign ministries would plan the agenda of the European Council of states and governments’ heads on October 15-16 in Brussels.
As the Charter’97 has informed, initially a possibility to invite Foreign Minister of Belarus Syarhei Martynau to Brussels was discussed. He was to meet with high representatives of the EU structures in the framework of the session of the foreign ministers of the European Union countries. However Martynau hadn’t been invited for the session.
Some foreign ministers of the EU believe Belarusian foreign minister shouldn’t be invited to Europe. Thus, as said by Mr. Verhagen, to lift all international sanctions against Belarus is too early, as this country “does not respect human rights still”.
It is not excluded that at the meeting on September 15 Foreign Ministers of the EU countries could adopt a decision to invite their Belarusian counterpart to their next session on October 13. It was decided to plan talks with the Belarusian Minister before the “parliamentary elections” in Belarus on September 28.
A former Belarusian political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin has been invited to Brussels for a meeting with the European structures representatives on September 15.
The politician plans to stay in Brussels for three days, and then to leave for the US. This visit will take place on the invitation of the US President George Bush.
