Belarus has been the most difficult issue in EaP, Angela Merkel says

21.11.2013 | Politics

The German Chancellor has reminded about conditions for deeper Belarus-EU cooperation during her speech on the forthcoming Easter Partnership Summit in Vilnius.

As Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, said this on November 19 in the Bundestag, speaking about the EaP Summit in Vilnius, it is only possible after release and rehabilitation of political prisoners.

"Belarus has been the most difficult issue in the Eastern Partnership,” she said according to Euroradio. “After the new repression that took place after the presidential elections in December 2010 , political prisoners are still in prison. Citizens who sought to pluralism in this society have been thrown in jail. "

The German Chancellor expressed her gratitude to the imprisoned laureate of the Council of Europe human rights award Ales Bialiatski. "We all have a responsibility so that these people were free to speak and act again," - said Merkel.

She recalled that the European Union wants to deepen cooperation with Belarus, but "it is only possible after the release and rehabilitation of political prisoners." Angela Merkel stressed: "If the summit in Vilnius gave a sign of hope, it would be very important."

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Belarus has been the most difficult issue in EaP, Angela Merkel says

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