Head of Foreign Ministry of Belarus: “We are to set the pace of changes ourselves”

Before his visit to Warsaw Syarhei Martynau, Foreign Minister of Belarus, states that Belarus won’t adhere to requirements of the European Union on democratization.

“We are to set the pace of changes ourselves,” under such a title a Polish publication Rzeczpospolita publishes an interview with Foreign Minister of Belarus Syarhei Martynau.

As informed by Polish Radio, the first question asked by Polish journalists touched upon possibility of unchecked activities of democratically elected Union of Poles in Belarus. As Polish journalists inform, there are two Unions of Poles in Belarus at the moment: one is headed by Andzelika Borys and is recognized by Warsaw, and the other (headed by Stanislau Syamashka) is recognized by Minsk.

Martynau said that the matter in question is a Belarusian public association founded by Belarusian citizens, who consider themselves ethnic Poles. In autumn 2009, as the Foreign Minister said, Stanilsau Syamashka was elected the chairman. And according to the estimation of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, intervention of the Belarusian state, and especially of Poland, in the affairs of the UPB, bode no good. The both organizations should solve their problems independently, including the problems of people who are not satisfied with the choice of the authorities of the Union, Martynau said.

Rzeczpospolita reminded that in 2009 another election took place, it was held earlier, in spring. During this election it was Andzelika Borys who was elected a chairperson. Then several persons called upon Belarusian authorities asking to let the public association alone. As said by Martynau, in such a situation the leaders of the both organisations should find understanding themselves and not to seek support from others. The government of Belarus and the Foreign Ministry do not take up this problem.

To the questions about Polish-Belarusian relations, Syarhei Martynau answered that the both states are important partners. As said by him, before the crisis a growth of trade turnover was observed. The turnover reached USD3 billion. Cooperation in the important sphere of energy transit exists. As Martynau believes, the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan can be very beneficial for Polish businessmen, as those who make investments in Belarus, would have an access to a huge market.

On February 12 Martynau plans to visit Poland. During this visit an agreement on local border traffic was signed. Rzeczpospolita asked whether there are chances that visas for Polish citizens would be cancelled. Martynau answered that possibility of introducing visa-free regime existed, but Poland has entered Schengen zone. Belarus is ready to cancel visa regime even tomorrow, Martynau said, but on a on a basis of reciprocity.

Answering the question about Belarus’ leaving international isolation, Syarhei Martynau said that the state in the centre of Europe through which 2/3 of Russian oil is received by the European Union, including 75% of oil bought by Poland in Russia, and 30% of gas, cannot be isolated. Martynau expressed satisfaction over a more pragmatic approach of the European Union, which had recognized Belarus as a serious partner, cooperation with which would be beneficial for the both sides.

However the European Union calls upon Belarus to democratize itself, Rzeczpospolita reminds. As said by the head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, there is no measure to estimate the level of democracy. As stated by Martynau, a dialogue between the states relating to this sphere is possible, and since 2009 such a dialogue is conducted by Belarus and the EU. The Belarusian society is forming, and today it is different, not like it was 5 or 10 years ago, and in 5 years it is to become even more different, Martynau stated.

This development, as said by the head of the Belarusian FM, would not depend on the demands of the EU, but on internal necessities of Belarusians. Martynau said that Belarus is not going to rush into deep waters with eyes closed, as it would be hard to float up, as it had happened to some neighbours.

Syarhei Martynau said to Rzeczpospolita newspaper that the Belarusian government has a positive estimation of the Eastern Partnership. It is an interesting and useful program, which important merit is to create a platform for deepened cooperation between the EU and Belarus, Martynau said.

Speaking about the relations with Russia, the minister observed that they are much wider than the issue of oil deliveries only. As said by Martynau, construction of the “union state” is continued. Citizens of the both states can freely choose their place of living and work, can travel freely, use medical assistance and receive the same pensions. It is a positive result of the “union”, Martynau said.

It should be noted that in connection with the events with the Polish House in Ivyanets, Law and Justice party (PiS) from Poland addressed the Foreign Minister of Poland Radoslaw Sikorski with a demand to cancel the visit of Belarus’ Foreign Minister Syarhei Martynau to Warsaw and impose economic embargo against Belarusian authorities.

On February 8 in Ivyanets (Minsk region), policemen and officers of court burst into the Polish House, owned by the unrecognized by the Belarusian authorities Union of Poles. Officers of court attached the property. The building was surrounded by militiamen. Activists of the Union of Poles were forced away from the building. After that militiamen got Stanislau Buracheuski, appointed head of the Ivyanets pro-governmental Union of Poles, into the building.

The previous conflict related to the Polish House in Ivyanets happened late January. The authorities tried to hold a congress there in order to replace the head of the local branch of the Union of Poles not recognized by the authorities, Tereza Sobal (Teresa Sobol). Dozens of organization’s activists were detained on the way to Ivyanets.

The Union of Poles was split in 2005. Its part which was loyal to the regime is officially recognized. Activists of the UPB not recognized by the authorities headed by Andzelika Borys are subject to crackdown by the authorities.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that he plans to have “a man-to-man talk” with the Belarusian Foreign Minister Syarhei Martynau, and the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek called upon Minsk to stop crackdown on he Polish ethnical minority immediately.