Lithuanian Foreign Ministry: Belarus political prisoners should be released

Only then the EU can lift sanctions against Lukashenka's regime.

That was the comment of Andrius Krivas, the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, to BNS agency on the last Belarus-Lithuania consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs held on February 4, ru.DELFI.lt reports.

He noted that Lithuania is interested in closer ties between the EU and Belarus.

"The main reason why the EU imposes restrictive measures against members of the Belarusian authorities remains the same, so it is early to talk about their withdrawal or cancellation," said Krivas. So that the EU could take the relevant decision there should be taken significant progress in the protection of human rights in Belarus. First of all, I mean the release of political prisoners and their legal rehabilitation".

He also noted that Lithuania appreciated the position of Belarus on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

"Lithuania highly appreciates the position taken by the Republic of Belarus, and its role in the international efforts to end up the conflict between Russia and Ukraine", he said. We also appreciate the compelling stand of the Belarusian colleagues not to join those sanctions, which the Russian leadership now applies in the sphere of economy for the EU and its members".

According to Krivas, at the forthcoming summit of the Eastern Partnership in May in Riga an agreement between Belarus and the EU on visa facilitation and readmission can be initialed. The diplomat claims that prior to the meeting there will be a possibility to hold meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and Belarus.

Speaking of upcoming presidential elections in Belarus, Krivas noted the need for "a transparent organization of the electoral process and campaign with the involvement of international monitoring mechanisms".