Czech coordinator for the Eastern Partnership: “I don’t believe Lukashenka will go to Prague”

Miloš Lexa, coordinator of the Czech Republic for the Eastern Partnership program, thinks the Belarusian dictator understands well he will have to listen to unpleasant remarks on him at the EU summit.

Miloš Lexa told about this in an interview to Euroradio:

– Are any details known about the scheduled visit of the Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg to Belarus?

– We have just begun preparations for the visit. I can confirm that Schwarzenberg is going to visit Belarus next Friday.

– Is there any information bout the meetings planned?

– It’s what I don’t know. The agenda is being prepared now. It must be agreed upon with the Belarusian party.

– In your view, will Lukashenka receive an invitation for the summit in Prague launching the Eastern partnership program?

– It’s an uneasy question. Taking into account some EU states are doubtful about Belarus’s democracy level, a question of invitation of Belarus will be considered and solved. The invitations should be the same for the six countries and will be sent to the head of every state. We must follow this in respect to the democratic procedures.

Nevertheless, I must note that though the invitation will be sent to Lukashenka personally, it will be the invitation for the state, for Belarus. The Eastern Partnership program is an offer of the European Union to the eastern countries for closer cooperation. It is an opportunity for every country. This opportunity can be used or not.

I personally don’t believe Lukashenka will go to Prague on May 7. He understands well he will have to listen to unpleasant remarks on him at the EU summit. From the other hand, I know that he is not going to miss an opportunity for closer cooperation between his country and the EU. That’s why I think Belarus will be represented at the summit by the prime minister or the minister of foreign affaires.

– Is this question to be discussed during the visit of Karel Schwarzenberg?

– I am almost certain there will be discussion on this topic.

– How do you think, is it possible to invite Lukashenka but at the same time let him know he is an unwanted guest in Prague?

– I don’t want to say more than I have said. This issue will be solved collectively. There are different opinions on this matter in the European Union. We wil try to reach a compromise and a common opinion.

The country may be excluded from the Eastern Partnership program if its activities contradict the program.

– Does invitation of Belarus for the summit mean the EU recognizes legitimacy of the Belarusian “parliament”?

– I don’t think these questions are interrelated. Opinions on the elections in Belarus, both of the EU and the Czech Republic, have been issued. The Eastern Partnership program is an offer of the European Union for improving mutual relations by means of cooperation in different sectors. This also includes the civil society progress. We believe the Eastern Partnership program will make the Belarusian politicians understand better that the European prospects are favourable for the country.

– Will a degree of Belarus’s participation in the Eastern Partnership depend on results of the next presidential elections?

– We can’t foresee future events. I can assure you that the EU will conduct a permanent political monitoring and estimate the development of democracy. Depending on the estimation, the EU may stop or slow down its cooperation with a country. Let’s be more patient. You know that our relation to the situation in Belarus is sometimes very harsh. Nevertheless, we see the signs demonstrating Belarus’s interest in further cooperation. So, let’s try. But it’s not pour final decision on the situation with democracy in Belarus.