Hungarian Ambassador: Peaceful protesters are beaten in Belarus, and journalists hindered to act in their professional capacity

Full lifting visa sanctions of the EU against Belarusian officials is possible, if steps forward by Belarus would become convincing.

As informed by BelaPAN, it has been stated by Hungarian Ambassador Ferenz Kontra at a press-conference in Minsk on October 20.

“Hungary is in favour of cooperation in all spheres of life where it is possible,” the diplomat said. “However, there are reservations from the Belarusian side that they are ready for some things and not ready for others”.

The Hungarian Ambassador has underlined that cooperation of the EU countries is based upon common values.

“Unfortunately, we still cannot cooperate with Belarus basing upon these values. We cooperate, proceeding from interests,” the Ambassador noted. “It is up to the Belarusian authorities when they would be able to cooperate basing upon values”.

The diplomat underlines that the European Union has “extended a hand to Belarus”. “Certain processes have been launched by the Belarusian side, there are results. But in some spheres where changes are to the interest of Belarus and they could be achieved by one signature, there is no progress,” underlined Mr Kontra. “We would like the steps taken by the Belarusian authorities to continue at a rapid pace. As soon as they become convincing, the EU would react adequately at once”.

“Unfortunately, we have an impression that actions and words of the Belarusian authorities not always fit tigether,” Ferenz Kontra stated.

He noted that at the summit of Eastern Partnership Belarusian authorities on the one hand spoke about necessity of democratization, liberalization in the sphere of mass media and political parties.

“But sometimes we watch television, where we see how peaceful demonstrators are beaten on October Square. Journalists are prevented from acting in their professional capacity there,” Kontra said.

After that, the ambassador noted, a question suggests itself, what should be accepted as the truth: words or the things shown on TV.

“There is an impression that somebody is not interested in improvement of relations between Belaruis and the EU countries,” added the Hungarian Ambassador, noting that such actions create a climate of mistrust in the relations of the sides.

At the moment visa sanctions against Belarusian officials have been partially lifted. In November 2009 ministers of the EU countries are to get back to this question. If Belarus would be able to convince them that it embarked the path of democracy, not only restrictive measures are to remain in the past, but bilateral relations would be begun, and documents for full-fledged dialogue in all spheres signed.