Zsolt Nemeth: EU policy shall not contribute to the legitimacy of the present dictatorial regime

• 17.09.2009, 11:59

Zsolt Nemeth, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian parliament, made a statement on the occasion of the Day of Belarusian Solidarity.

The statement, sent to www.charter97.org, says:

“I welcome that the European Union pursues negotiations with the Republic of Belarus. However, the goal of these negotiations must be the development of democracy and they shall not in any way contribute to the legitimacy of the present dictatorial regime.

I was appalled to learn that the Republic of Belarus continues to have political prisoners. We demand the immediate release of Mikalay Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, Uladzimir Asipenka and Artyom Dubski.

I expect that the authorities of Belarus reveal the truth about the disappearance of the opposition activists Yuri Zakharanka, Viktar Hanchar, Anatoly Krasouski and Zmister Zavadski.

I call upon the Hungarian Government and the parties of the Hungarian Parliament to do their utmost in the course of their diplomatic activities for the sake of the furtherance of democracy in the Republic of Belarus,” Zsolt Nemeth said.