Sharp debate in European Parliament over situation in Belarus
- 9.10.2008, 9:39
Debates over the situation in Belarus have taken place in the European Parliament. Deputies of the European parliament stated that the “parliamentary elections” in the country were not free and undemocratic, and spoke in favour of cooperation with the opposition in the issues of Belarus’ democratization. A resolution is to be adopted today summing up the results of discussions.
In the beginning of the discussion in the European Parliament the chairman of the session greeted Alyaksandr Milinkevich, Alyaksandr Kazulin and other members of the Belarusian delegation, Pavel Sevyarynets and Viktar Karneenka.
The speaker on Belarusian issues, French minister on European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet: “We haven’t been satisfied by the election in Belarus”. “The European Union is maximally open for Belarus, and we should start cooperation not only with the authorities, but with citizens as well”.
The European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has also expressed disappointment over the passed election: “How could it be guaranteed that there won’t be political prisoners in Belarus any more? What’s next?” “We believe that the political dialogue with the Belarusian authorities should be supported. It is important to help Belarusians in democratic development, we should support the civil society, non-governmental organisations, independent press and the European Humanities University in Vilnius. Belarus is situated in the heart of Europe. We should make steps for forming a democracy. Otherwise there would be a stagnation in this country, and its further dependence on Russia”.
Charles Tannock, MP from the Great Britain expressed himself in favour of beginning of cooperation with Belarus: “We should response to release of the political prisoners, so that Belarus moved on in the right direction. We should use carrot and stick policy so that Belarus took its place in the family of European nations”.
Jan-Marinus Wiersma, MP from the Netherlands, has also expressed dissatisfaction over the results of the elections, and came out for a dialogue. However, he urged not to lift sanctions against officials, and to hold the dialogue with the Belarusian authorities with participation of the opposition.
Janusz Onyszkiewicz from Poland noted that Lukashenka wants a dialogue with Europe only on his own conditions, and called upon Western firms be more active in privatizing Belarusian enterprises in order to drive out the Russian capital.
Elisabeth Schroedter, German MEP said on behalf of the Greens group that there are no conditions for democracy in Belarus, including freedom of expression. “Certain conditions are necessary to change the situation and create a new financial; instrument for supporting the Belarusian opposition,” she said.
A Polish deputy Konrad Szymanski has called upon adhering to a principle “concession for concession” in relations with Minsk.
Erik Meijer, the Dutch MEP, spoke in favour of rights of Belarusian citizens who want to use their native language.
Bastiaan Belder from the Netherlands urged to pull down the price of Schengen visas for Belarusians to 35 Euro, like for Ukrainians.
Jacek Protasiewicz, Polish MEP, urged to push for liquidation of the reasons which have caused emergence of political prisoners in Belarus. He offered to freeze sanctions against Belarusian authorities for half a year in the framework of the “step-by-step” policy. In conclusion he reminded about pressure on the Union of Poles headed by Anzelika Borys.
Justas Paleckis from Lithuania called upon organizing a real discussion between Belarus and the EU inside Belarus.
Jeanine Hennis Plasschaert from the Netherlands has told that the opposition is in a very difficult situation and needs help. She called upon decreasing the cost of Schengen visas for Belarusians, and also offered to receive Kazulin and Milinkevich on Monday in Paris together with Martynau.
Wojciech Roszkowski form Poland attracted attention to the threat of losing independence by Belarus. “Russia has the economic key to the situation in Belarus”.
Adrian Severin, Romania, urged for talks with the Belarusian government, support of the democratic opposition and directing the dialogue to the good of the Belarusians, and not of the regime.
Marian Harkin, Ireland, drew attention to cancelling projects of Belarusian children’s recuperation in Europe.
Jozef Pinior: “The policy of the European Union should be completely aimed at the Belarusian society”.
Jas Gawronski: “The recent election of the “house” strengthened the image of Belarus as of a banana republic”.
Libor Roucek: “The EU should help the civil society, independent media and non-governmental organizations of Belarus more”. The representative of the Czech Republic has also supported annulment of visas for Belarusians.
A member of the European Union Council Jean-Pierre Jouyet in his closing remarks noted that France which is the presiding country in the EU pays much attention to the EU neighbours including Belarus. “The EU is ready to make a step in Minsk authorities would made some efforts. Our assistance is precondition by good will of Belarus”.
He also noted that he would do everything for children and students of Belarus to receive free visas to the EU countries. As said by him, the EU is ready to continue supporting the Belarusian opposition.