BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

09/10/2008

EU Parliament calls for easing of Belarus sanctions

The Associated Press

BRUSSELS, Belgium: EU governments should consider easing visa bans against Belarusian leaders to promote democratic change in the country, the European Parliament said Thursday, four days before foreign ministers meet to discuss the issue.

In a nonbinding resolution, the EU assembly's lawmakers called on EU nations to "consider a selective review and possible suspension" of some visa bans slapped on 35 Belarusian leaders, including President Alexander Lukashenko.

Lukashenko, who has ruled the nation of 10 million people with an iron fist since 1994, has recently signaled his intention to improve ties with the West at a time when he is arguing with Russia over energy prices.

The European Parliament motion, which passed 597-31, recommended that the bloc apply a six-month partial suspension of the visa ban, provided that during that time a restrictive media law is changed and other democratic reforms are made.

The lawmakers also recommended the 27-nation EU make it easier for Belarusians to get a travel visa to the EU's passport free travel zone, and that visa costs be reduced. They said it was "the only way to prevent Belarus and its citizens from becoming increasingly isolated."

EU envoys considered a proposal to ease visa restrictions against Lukashenko and some of his officials at talks Thursday as a way to encourage change in the ex-Soviet country, which remains deeply isolated from the rest of Europe.

The EU's foreign ministers will discuss the issue at talks Monday in Luxembourg and also meet with their Belarusian counterpart.

EU nations remain divided over whether to ease sanctions they imposed on Lukashenko and his regime two years ago, to protest his crackdown on opposition groups.

Finland and Poland are pushing other EU nations to agree to easing a visa ban despite elections there last month falling short of international democratic standards. They would keep in place an assets freeze on the 35 officials.

Earlier this year, Belarusian authorities released detained opposition figures after Western governments demanded they be freed. Belarus' government also allowed opposition candidates to take part in Sept. 28 parliamentary elections, even though none of the 70 opposition candidates won places in the 110-seat parliament.

Source:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/09/europe/EU-EU-Belarus.php

Google
 


Partners:
Face.by Social Network
Face.by