Javier Solana’s conditions for the Belarusian regime
Belarus will be able to take part in the Eastern Partnership project only if all conditions of the European Union are implemented.
Javier Solana’s spokesperson Cristina Gallach said about EU’s intention to go on working with the Belarusian opposition at a meeting with Belarusian, Ukrainian, Russian and Moldavian journalists in Brussels on 24 February. So, BelaPAN reports, the spokeswomen for the EU’s High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Secretary General of the EU’s Council, commented on remarks of Alexander Lukashenka at his meeting with Javier Solana in Minsk on necessity to have a dialogue between Belarus and the EU without mediators.
Gallach said that it was absolutely clear that the EU didn’t only respect, but also welcomed activity of political opposition leaders in Belarus, who were conducting hard political struggle. According to her, attitude of the EU towards the Belarusian opposition can be demonstrated by the fact that the Secretary General of the EU’s Council met with opposition leaders first during his visit to Minsk.
As Gallach noted, representatives of the Belarusian opposition emphasized the problem of the freedom of press in Belarus and informed about the facts of human rights violations, including arrests of young opposition activists on 14 February. At the meeting J.Solana guaranteed that statements of the opposition would be considered by the EU.
Solana’s spokeswoman stressed that Belarus would be able to take part in the Eastern Partnership program only if the EU’s conditions were implemented. In particular, Belarus should stop violating human rights, establish a dialogue between the opposition and the government and provide the freedom of press.
According to Gallach, Solana regards his visit to Belarus as good and notes some positive moves in fulfilling of the EU’s conditions. A final decision on whether Belarus will be included into the Eastern Partnership program is to be taken at the EU’s summit in Brussels on 19-20 March.
Solana’s spokeswoman notes she would like to see Belarus in the Eastern Partnership program. According to her, Belarus is also interested in participation in this project.
