BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

24/11/2008

EU to step up dialogue with Belarus

Interfax-Ukraine

Minsk/Brussels, November 24 - The European Union welcomed the decision by the Belarusian authorities to take measures to allow two independent newspapers, Narodnaya Volya (People's Will) and Nasha Niva (Our Field) to be printed and distributed.

Belarus' preparedness to discuss in detail the recommendations of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) regarding the refining of the country's electoral legislation are an important and encouraging step by Belarus, and I am looking forward to see them implemented, as well as further steps in line with EU's expectations, announced by Belarus, EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner told Interfax on Monday.

"The EU is stepping up a technical dialogue with Belarus in areas of mutual interest," she said.

"I am waiting for concrete results that would facilitate Belarus' economic progress," she said.

"I would also like to recall the promise given by the EU on October 13 to resume relations with Belarus and to review its sanctions against certain Belarusians in light of further efforts to promote democracy, respect for human rights and the supremacy of law," Ferrero-Waldner said.

In this context it is important that Belarus should remain a country without political detainees and a country that respects the freedom of speech, association and assembly, she said.

Source:

http://www.kyivpost.com/world/31210

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