EU expresses hope for “re-engagement” with Belarus

The European Union “earnestly hopes for gradual re engagement with Belarus and is therefore ready to develop a dialogue with the Belarusian authorities, as with all those participating in the democratic debate,” EU foreign ministers say in a statement issued following an External Relations Council meeting in Luxemburg on Monday, BelaPAN said.

The 27-nation bloc's aim is to encourage genuine progress towards strengthening democracy and respect for human rights in Belarus, the statement says.

"In order to encourage dialogue with the Belarusian authorities and the adoption of positive measures to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights, the Council has decided that the travel restrictions imposed on certain leading figures in Belarus, with the exception of those involved in the disappearances which occurred in 1999 and 2000 and of the President of the Central Electoral Commission, will not apply for a period of six months, which may be renewed," the Council says.

It notes that at the end of that period, the Council "will reconsider whether the Belarusian authorities have made progress towards reforms of the Electoral Code to bring it into line with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections and other concrete actions to respect democratic values, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression and of the media, and the freedom of assembly and political association."

The Council adds that it may decide to apply travel restrictions sooner if necessary, in the light of the actions of the Belarusian authorities in the sphere of democracy and human rights.

The Council notes that, despite some improvements, Belarus's recent House of Representatives elections failed to meet the democratic criteria of the OSCE. It welcomes the release of the last internationally recognised political prisoners before the elections. The Council also notes that the opposition was able to demonstrate peacefully on the evening of the elections.

The Council calls on the Belarusian authorities to "remedy the shortcomings" observed and to cooperate fully to that end with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

"With a view to strengthening links with the administration and population, the Council supports the intensification of technical cooperation initiated by the Commission with Belarus in areas of mutual interest," the statement says. "The European Union will continue to provide assistance for Belarusian civil society in order to promote the development of a democratic and pluralist environment."