Lithuanian PM met with Belarusian democrats
- 15.09.2009, 9:59
A Belarusian delegation and the Lithuanian Prime Minister had a press conference in Vilnius on September 14.
Representatives of the democratic opposition – head of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka, head of the organizing committee on creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Paval Sevyarynets, and former political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin – had a meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, foreign minister Vigaudas Usackas, and speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Arunas Valinskas, Radio Svaboda reports.
Anatol Lyabedzka noted the visit was initiated by Lithuania.
“it was important for us to draw attention to the problem in Belarus and to influence the agenda of Lukashenka’s meeting. It was important for us to make the Lithuanian authorities focus on rights things and hear a clear message from them,” the politician said.
Lyabedzka thinks meetings of the Lithuanian leadership and Lukashenka were approved by Brussels, it’s not just bilateral relations.
“The European Union should solve the issue on sanctions in November. This meeting was aimed at giving a clear message to the Belarusian authorities,” the UCP chairman thinks.
Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius noted the representatives of the Belarusian opposition discussed many important questions that can be discussed also with representatives of the Belarusian authorities. Among them are opportunities of the Eastern Partnership programme. The Lithuanian PM said Belarus needed changes in human rights sector and democracy. The election legislation should be changed in connection with the forthcoming presidential elections. Kubilius reminded that the Belarusian authorities should do their “home task” by November and said Lithuania followed the EU policy regarding towards Belarus.
Kubilius doesn’t exclude he may meet with Alyaksandr Lukashenka. But Seimas speaker Arunas Valinskas was surprised to hear from the Belarusian democrats that Lithuanian would be the first EU country to accept Lukashenka on high level.
The opposition representatives don’t hide protests pickets are prepared for Lukashenka’s visit to Vilnius.