Andrei Sannikov: “That mustn’t be secret agreements with regime”

• 7.10.2008, 13:51

The leader of the civil campaign “European Belarus” comments on the visit of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Alexander Stubb and invitation of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry head to the session of the EU foreign Ministers.

To the question of Radio Svaboda who stands to gain from the thaw in relations with the West Andrei Sannikov said:

“I know that there are no grounds for the West to change its position. The West has emphasized rather definitely that the relations between Belarus and the West, Belarus and the European Union would depend on how he election in Belarus would be carried out. We know that the “election” was no better than the previous “elections” and “referenda”. And it was even worse. One can only guess what aims are being pursued by the European officials now. I think that there is interest of European business community in privatization in Belarus”.

Mr Sannikov also notes that the OSCE and the European Union are different organisations:

“The visit of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office is more understandable, as Belarus is a member of the OSCE and takes part in the work of this organisation, even in the Parliamentary Assembly.

But actions of the European Union are unclear, as there are no grounds so far to expect that the Belarusian regime would listen to advice of the EU. And problems which could cause such actions, would be bigger than now. We know that Lukashenka always uses softening of the democratic countries’ stand in order to reinforce the dictatorial regime inside Belarus.

The West should pronouncedly demand changes inside Belarus, a discussion to take place inside Belarus. And they shouldn’t prepare some secret agreements with the regime.

No dialogue between Europe and the regime should take place before the dialogue inside the country begins. It would be the biggest mistake if the dialogue between Europe and the regime would start. There should be a dialogue inside the country, and only that could be a precondition for the progress and improvement of relations with the West”.