Hungarian ambassador: EU does not pursue double standards policy regarding Belarus

• 15.08.2008, 12:16

he European Union does not pursue a double standards policy regarding Belarus, Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Kontra told reporters in Minsk on Friday, BelaPAN said.

“One or two countries can be mistaken in their policy regarding a certain state, but since the entire European community sees that there is something wrong with Belarus’ attitude to our common values, I think that all these countries cannot be mistaken,” the ambassador said. “Belarus should look for the reason in itself.”

Mr. Kontra noted that Hungary, as a member of the EU, should follow the bloc’s common policy with regard to Belarus. “For example, there exists a list of 41 Belarusian officials who are banned from entering the EU,” he said. “The European Union considers these people involved in some events in Belarus that are not only unwelcome but also intolerable in Europe at present. In particular, these are disappearances of people and violence against opposition politicians.”

Mr. Kontra also noted that political contacts between the EU and Belarus are limited. “The EU member countries may not have contacts with Belarus at the level of ministers, but we are ready for contacts at the level of deputy ministers or state secretaries in order to develop relations,” he said. “As soon as the Belarusian side has a real intention to cooperate and establish contacts and makes the necessary steps for this, we are ready to begin a dialogue.”