BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

15/10/2008

Finland: EU aims at closer relations with Belarus

The European Union foreign ministers are ready for closer relations with Belarus. At the same time, the ban on visas to Belarusian leaders and representatives of the administration is relaxed temporarily. The issue rose to the fore at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Luxembourg. Finland was represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors.

"The European Union made a significant decision in the isolation policy on Belarus. We are cautiously opening dialogue with Belarus," Stubb said in Luxembourg.

In return for the relaxations, the EU requires, among others, that Belarus revise its electoral system to be democratic and in line with international principles, and that the country promote the principles of rule of law, human rights and basic freedoms. This includes freedom of the press and freedom of assembly. The foreign ministers stressed that the ban on visas can be reinstated immediately if the desired progress with regard to democracy and human rights does not take place in Belarus.

A sign of the closer relations was the meeting between the EU troika and Sergey Martynov, Foreign Minister of Belarus, held in Luxembourg on Monday, The troika includes the current Presidency, i.e. France, the next Presidency, i.e. the Czech Republic, EU High Representative Javier Solana and the European Commission.

The Council stated that the parliamentary elections held in Belarus on 28 September did not meet the OSCE's requirements for democracy. On the other hand, the foreign ministers considered that some progress had taken place, for instance in the openness of election campaigning and in cooperation between the OSCE and Belarus during the elections.

Alexander Stubb, who visited the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on 7 October as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, described the EU policy as a "conditional reward" for Belarus.

"No one can claim that everything would be in order in Belarus. We are aware that there are great challenges in Belarus, such as abolishment of capital punishment," Stubb stated.

The ban on visas is not lifted as such, but application of the ban is interrupted for a six-month period. The relaxation does not apply to those who have participated in murders or disappearances, nor to the chairman of the central electoral committee.

The meeting also made preparations for the European Council meeting to be held in Brussels on 15-16 October 2008 where, among others, relations with Georgia will be discussed. The French Presidency also presented a draft Conclusion of the European Council to the foreign ministers. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Foreign Minister Stubb, Minister of Migration and European Affairs Thors and Minister of Finance Jyrki Katainen.

Source:

http://www.isria.info/RESTRICTED/D/2008/OCTOBER_16/diplo_15october2008_60.htm

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