Carl Bildt: “Situation in Belarus is still a cause for concern”

Head of the Swedish MFA Carl Bildt says the Swedish Government will further support an “open and democratic Belarus”.

He told this to the parliament on February 17 outlining the foreign policy strategy for 2010, BelaPAN reports.

Carl Bildt noted in his statement, published on the Swedish Government’s website, “The situation in Belarus is still a cause for concern, not least with regard to respect for human rights.”

The Swedish Foreign Minister noted the Treaty of Lisbon gives the country a new responsibility and new opportunities.

Among priorities of the foreign policy Bildt mentioned strengthening the European Union as a global actor, implementation of the Eastern Partnership and Baltic Sea Strategy, creating the conditions for sustainable globalisation, based on human rights, international laws, finding ways out of the political deadlocks.

In 2010 the Government will contribute to its further development, in order to promote reforms and EU integration among the EU’s closest neighbours to the east. The government names “funding of necessary reforms in our partner countries, simpler opportunities for travel and work to and within the EU, trade liberalisation and a strengthened role for civil society” among priority areas.

The Eastern Partnership programme was initiated by Poland and Sweden in 2008. It offers political rapprochement and economic integration of its participants, 27 EU countries and six partners – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.