Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau: New Presidential Elections Should Be Held In Belarus

The Belarusians demonstrate determination and persistence in the struggle for freedom.

The European Union should support the Belarusians, who are defending their fundamental right to free and fair elections, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said, speaking at the Minsk Forum on December 2, naviny.by. reports.

"We see the determination of people, their persistence, their willingness to pay the highest price - to sacrifice their own lives," - the Minister stressed. He remembered the last victims, in particular Raman Bandarenka, who "died because he was dreaming of a free, democratic Belarus".

"What does it mean for us, the EU representatives? - Rau said. - The free world cannot accept the results of unfair elections, cannot remain indifferent when citizens are ill-treated. We can support Belarusian society in its determination to fight for freedoms and rights. Our moral duty is to support the aspirations of the Belarusians. But there is one reservation that I would like to make: only the Belarusians can decide what future they want to build. Interference of third parties is unacceptable and inadmissible. A peaceful transition to a modern democratic state is possible only through an agreed process and with the involvement of opposition representatives".

He emphasized that everyone, including those in exile in Lithuania, Ukraine, Germany and Poland, should participate in the dialogue.

"We urge Lukashenka to start an all-inclusive national dialogue, - the minister said. - The presidential election should be held once again. The people of Belarus should be able to make their choice, decide with whom and how they want to build a new country".