Paval Sieviaryniets: After Ukrainian fiasco Europeans turn their attention to Belarus

The politician believes that Belarus can become the key springboard to oppose the imperial Russia.

Paval Sieviaryniets, the leader of Belarusian Christian Democracy who used to be a political prisoner, in the talk with the EuroBelarus Information Service emphasizes that the Eastern Partnership Summit cannot be viewed only from the negative prospective after Ukraine failed to sign the Association Agreement with the EU. Such results of the Summit can, in fact, activate the EU’s work with the civil society in the EaP countries, assumes the politician.

- After the failures at all the six directions (as certain failures occurred with every country), Europeans will have to lay greater emphasis on civil community and political opposition. They have already started to do so: top speakers at the EaP Summit in Vilnius, at the conference of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in particular, spoke about this specific direction of the European politics.

According to Sieviaryniets, we should also consider German stance; as it is very likely that social democrats will be responsible for foreign policy in Germany.

- We know that the base of German social democrats’ policies is agreement with Russia. I.e. when the Eastern European countries are at stake, social democrats can make concussions to Russia, which brings no good for Belarus. However, the positive news is that Europeans will be more attentive in their work with Belarus. Many Ukrainian problems arise from Belarus, as it is Belarusan scenario that Yanukovich is implementing now. Moreover, to gain a victory over Russia in Belarus would be a very strong geopolitical strike for Moscow.

Paval Sieviaryniets believes that “Europe has already understood that and will put more effort in work with Belarus”.

- We should also expect special attention to the election campaign of 2014, and, of course, to the presidential election campaign of 2015. I hope that we, Belarusans, will use this chance that history gives to us to unite, nominate one candidate in 2015, - and then we can say that Belarus gets special attention. If the situation remains the same, with overall languidness, - there is no hope, - the leader of Belarusian Christian Democracy believes.