Bundestag deputy: “European Union shouldn’t offer last European autocrat such a big gingerbread”

Michael Link, a deputy of German Bundestag, believes that Belarusian authorities haven’t held democratic reforms yet for sanctions against officials to be lifted.

Commenting on the decision of the European Union to freeze visa sanctions against Alyaksandr Lukashenka and 35 more officials, Michael Link, a democrat and Bundestag deputy notes:

“The European Union shouldn’t offer the last European autocrat such a big gingerbread. To become closer to the EU, Lukashenka’s regime must first make considerable progress in the issue of human rights. What we have observed so far, cannot be called anything but cosmetic concessions”.

The German politician is convinced: it is pleasing that two oppositional newspapers have returned to readers in Belarus. But it is not enough:

“On the contrary, the last accusations against some oppositional politicians and a possibility of prison terms are another confirmation that democratic and legal knowledge of Minsk leadership is insufficient still”.

As Michael Link, a deputy of German Bundestag, says, “invitation of Lukashenka to the summit in Prague in May would be premature at this stage. Instead of spreading red carpet for him, “sensible diplomacy should better show the county how to integrate into the Eastern Partnership on a step-by-step basis”. And only results on this path achieved by Minsk, could become a basis for deciding on the future of the sanctions.

“Invitation for president Lukashenka should be given during the process and considering its results, but by no means preliminarily, when serious reforms have just started,” the politician is certain.

“Despite of the fact that Belarus’ participation in the Eastern Partnership is very important,” Mr Link continues, “democracy and rule of law cannot be its cost. The best indicator of real reforms in Belarus is a desire of its rulers to follow its commitments of a member-country of the OSCE in ensuring free election. Only when, in line with its statements, Belarus would dare to reform its electoral legislation together with ODHR experts, a way for cooperation might open,” the German parliamentarian Michael Link said.