EU to decide the issue about the sanctions against Lukashenka after September 28
- 15.09.2008, 17:43
After judging the course of the “parliamentary elections” in Belarus, the European Union is ready to review the sanctions against Belarusian officials, and to increase assistance to the country. It is said in the statement of foreign ministers of the EU countries adopted at the session on September 15 in Brussels.
The document welcomes release of all political prisoners as fulfillment of one of the conditions which could allow the EU to reconsider the sanctions against the Belarusian officials, and gradually restore relations with Belarus.
At the same time the Council of the European Union “as before is concerned by some important aspects of the situation with human rights in Belarus,” the statement reads.
The Council of the EU reminds that democratic procedure of the “parliamentary elections” on September 28 is another chance to demonstrate respect to democratic values. The heads of the EU countries’ foreign ministries hope that these elections would be “pluralistic and would demonstrate the real progress of Belarus on the course of respect to European norms”.
The EU welcomed deploying observation mission of the OSCE and emphasized the necessity to guarantee these observers effective access to all stages of the “electoral campaign”, and among others, to votes count.
The Council of the European Union intends to evaluate the situation in the country “in relation to the “parliamentary elections” and the progress done by Belarus on the path of conformity to democratic values and respect to human rights, and is ready to start reconsideration of restrictive measures against Belarusian officials”.
The document, adopted by foreign ministers, emphasised EU’s readiness “to take positive and concrete steps on a phased revival of the dialog, including a meeting of the EU three with the Belarusian foreign minister.”
EU foreign ministers also reminded about possibilities, offered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, pointed that “the EU stands ready to expand official economic and cultural ties with Belarus and increase aid significantly.”
It should be reminded that the democratic forces of Belarus say the oncoming “parliamentary election” won’t be free and fair and call on the international society not to recognise its results. On September 28, at 8.oo pm, a protest action demanding to hold new really free and fair election in the country will be held at October square. It depends on the actions of the author ties on September 28 whether the EU will lift sanctions against the regime of Lukashenka or not.