BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
18/01/2011
Stubb wants Belarus opposition leader to visit Finland
Finnish Foreign Minister meets with jailed leader's daughter
Stubb wants Belarus opposition leader to visit Finland Alexander Stubb
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party) met with Eva Neklyayeva, the daughter of imprisoned Belarus opposition leader Vladimir Neklyayev, in Helsinki on Monday.
Neklyayeva is a Finnish citizen. She says that she has not heard of her imprisoned father since late December, when he and a number of other opposition members were arrested soon after presidential elections in the country.
Vladimir Neklyayev was one of the candidates in the election.
Stubb said that Finland is ready to receive Neklyayev as soon as possible if he is released.
The Finnish Foreign Minister said that the EU is preparing a set of sanctions, including a ban on travel by Belarus political leaders. Decisions on the proposals are scheduled for January 31st.
Stubb feels that it is important for the EU to discuss the matter directly with Russia.
"This could far too easily be turning into a confrontation in international politics, where Russia on one hand, and the EU on the other, either woo or shun Belarus", Foreign minister Stubb said.
Source:
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