Brussels, 17/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - A large part of the sanctions taken by the EU in 2006 against the leaders of Belarus remain suspended, at least until October 2010. The External Relations Council of Tuesday 17 November extended for a further 11 months the suspension of the visa ban on several dozen notables, including President Alexander Lukashenko, involved in infringements of international electoral standards or repression of civil society and democratic opposition. This sanction was suspended for the first time in October 2008 (see EUROPE 9760). The ban on entering the EU remains in place, however, for all those directly involved in disappearances of persons in 1999-2000, and for the chairwoman of the county's electoral commission. In autumn 2010, the Council will reassess whether Belarus has made sufficient progress in reform of the electoral code and respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. “The Council may decide to reapply or lift travel restrictions at any time in light of actions by the Belarus authorities in the sphere of democracy and human rights,” said ministers in conclusions adopted on Tuesday.
The other section of European sanctions in place since 2006, freezing the funds and economic resources of Belarusian leaders, will remain in place (these sanctions have even been extended for a further period of 11 months until October 2010).
In their conclusions of 17 November, foreign affairs ministers note that, since the resumption of political dialogue with Belarus towards the end of last year (in response to the release of all political prisoners), contact and sectoral cooperation have increased, including as part of the Eastern Partnership, which was launched in May 2009 and of which Belarus is a recipient country. The EU is, nonetheless, still disappointed at the lack of progress on democratic reform. “After a number of encouraging decisions taken earlier in these areas, the Council deeply regrets the recent lack of significant progress in addressing its concerns in the area of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including as regards the crackdown on peaceful political actions and the continued denial of registration of many political parties, NGOs and independent media. The Council furthermore regrets the recent death sentences in Belarus and urges the country to introduce a moratorium on the death penalty,” member states say in their conclusions.
However, this lack of progress does not mean that the EU is closing the door on increased relations with Belarus in the future. “The pace of reform is disappointing, but we will not give up on moving Belarus in a European direction,” said Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, who chaired Tuesday's Council. If Belarus makes progress on democracy, the EU will consider upgrading contractual relations, the conclusions say. Ministers also called on the Commission to prepare recommendations with a view to obtaining a mandate to negotiate a visa facilitation agreement and a readmission agreement with Belarus. (H.B./transl.rt)