Official response of the EC on the resolutions adopted at Conference of EaP CSF National Platform

In late June, the official response came on behalf of the European Commission on the resolutions adopted at Conference of Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum National Platform in Belarus, addressed to Ulad Vialichka, the chairman of the International Consortium EUROBELARUS, co-chairman of the Steering Committee of the EaP CSF from the managing director of the European External Action Service for Europe and Central Asia Miroslav Lajčák.

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Dear Mr Vialichka,

Thank you for sharing with us the resolutions of the Belarusian National Platform Conference that took place on 11-12 April in Minsk in the framework of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Stefan Fiile, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, asked me to reply on their behalf.

We share your view that civil society makes an essential contribution to the future of Belarus. Although NGOs in Belarus operate in very difficult conditions, they continue to play a vital role as advocates for reform and contribute to a broader understanding of democratic and participative processes.

The EU strongly disapproved of the conduct of the elections and the crackdown on civil society representatives and opposition which followed. Consequently, 188 Belarusian officials linked to post-election repression are currently the subject of EU sanctions, including President Lukashenko and other members of the leadership.

We have clearly condemned the violence perpetrated by the authorities, called for an immediate end to the ongoing persecution of civil society and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all people detained on political grounds. The sanctions we have enacted can only be reviewed if the authorities take real and convincing steps towards the release and rehabilitation of all detainees, as well as ending the repression of democratic forces.

Unfortunately the situation in Belarus continues to evolve in a negative direction. President Lukashenko is in every respect taking the opposite road to the one we would wish. For this reason, both the European External Action Service and the Commission continue to work with the EU Member States on the issue of possible additional measures against Belarus. 

At the same time, we are seeking to avoid isolating the Belarusian population. We reconfirm the EU's strong commitment of support to Belarusian civil society during this difficult period. The European External Action Service and the Commission have been working intensively since 19th of December to intensify our support to the people of Belarus.

Urgent support provided through the Nordic Council of Ministers is being disbursed both to individual victims of the repression and to civil society organizations. In the medium term, projects are now being designed to support Belarusian NGOs, independent media and students during 2011-2013. Two local calls for proposals under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and the Non State Actors programmes have been already launched. A special scholarship scheme for Belarusian students will also start with the first intake in September 2011.

As regards our intention to enhance people to people contacts, we are moving ahead on the issue of visa facilitation and readmission, to reach out to the Belarusian public at large. The Commission invited Belarus to start negotiations. It remains to be seen whether Belarus wants to engage with us on this matter.

We will also continue to make the best use of the Eastern Partnership multilateral track, and in particular the EaP Civil Society Forum, to strengthen and empower Belarus' civil society. As a regional forum, the Eastern Partnership provides a unique vehicle to introduce civil society expertise and perspective into intergovernmental work and strengthen civil society contacts with partner countries' authorities - particularly in such difficult times, as witnessed in Belarus,

We would also like to seize this opportunity and draw your attention to the recently adopted Communication of the Commission and the High Representative of 24 May 2011 on "A new response to a changing Neighbourhood", which puts the partnership with civil societies at the heart of the renewed European Neighbourhood Policy. In order to strengthen capacities of civil society organizations, we intend to establish a new Civil Society Facility in the framework of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. This new tool will considerably add to ongoing efforts aimed at supporting civil society.

Our success in racing challenges that lie ahead will rest to a large extent on the level of coordination among the donors active in Belarus. We continue to interact on both policy and funding priorities, as well as on that we regularly organize in Brussels, with the participation of representatives from Belarusian civil society.

Allow us to conclude by underlining that we are determined to support the valuable contribution made by civil society in Eastern neighbourhood countries, including of course in Belarus, recognizing the central importance of the values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in the Eastern Partnership.
 

Sincerely yours,
Miroslav Lajčák 

 

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