BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

13/10/2007

Netherlands Supports Belarus University in Exile

THE HAGUE, 13/10/07 - The Netherlands is providing financial support to the European Humanities University (EHU). Originally located in Belarus, EHU has been operating in exile in Lithuania since 2005.

European Affairs State Secretary Frans Timmermans announced in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in a speech to the EHU that he would contribute 325,000 euros to a Masters programme in Public Administration at the university. The Netherlands will also finance the grants of 18 students who will follow the programme from September 2008.

Timmermans spoke in Vilnius in front of 200 students about the political situation in Belarus and the importance of education for bringing about changes from within the country. He stressed the key role that students can play in this. "The European Union has a unified position in condemning the regime, but you are the ones who really can make the difference," Timmermans observed.

According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, "President Lukashenko of Belarus forced the university to close its doors in 2004 because he regarded educated youngsters as a threat to the regime". The EHU opened again in Vilnius in 2005, with financial support from the European Commission, the Lithuanian government and several Scandinavian countries.

"With the new Public Administration Masters programme, the Netherlands is helping the EHU to educate a new generation of politicians and administrators, who can contribute to the development of a free and democratic Belarus," stated the Foreign Ministry.

Timmermans also visited the Vilnius Energy Summit 2007, a conference for government leaders in the region. He gave a speech about the challenges of climate change and ensuring a continued supply of energy, and the relations between the EU member countries and Russia.

Timmermans stressed that Europe needs "security of supply", just as much as Russia needs "security of demand". (...) "Russia needs Europe just as much as Europe needs Russia", explained Timmermans. "The challenge is to build up a good energy relationship on the basis of this mutual interest".

Source:

http://www.nisnews.nl/public/131007_3.htm