Luxembourg, 25/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The EU, which is still concerned by the lack of democracy and precarious human rights situation in Belarus, has extended the sanctions in place since 2006 - a freezing of assets and a ban on entering EU territory - against senior officials of the regime of Alexander Lukashenko for an extra year, or until the end of October 2001. T he decision was made by the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday 25 October. In order to “encourage” the Belarusian authorities to see to their democratic shortcomings, however, the ministers have agreed to suspend the application of the “visa ban” plank, also until the end of October 2011. This suspension will not benefit the officials and civil servants involved in the disappearances of 1999-2000, or the president of the Central electoral committee of the country. President Lukashenko, on the other hand, will be able to travel freely to the EU. In October 2011, the EU27 will reassess the situation in Belarus; they may then decide to make changes to the restrictive measures in place, either relaxing or tightening them. “The Council may decide to reapply or lift travel restrictions at any time, in light of actions by the Belarusian authorities in the sphere of democracy and human rights”, read the conclusions adopted by the ministers on Monday. The Council regrets that Minsk has made little progress in its democratic reforms since the last review of sanctions in October 2009, particularly as regards the reform of the electoral law, the freedom of expression and of the media and the freedom of assembly and association. Additionally, Belarus continues to apply the death penalty (two people were executed in March), which the EU wishes to see abolished throughout the world.
Critical engagement. Monday's Council also stressed that the EU must continue its “critical engagement policy” towards Minsk. The EU is even prepared to step up its contractual relations with Belarus, as long as the country moves forward in terms of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, according to the conclusions. Belarus is one of the six beneficiary countries of the “Eastern Partnership”, but the partnership and cooperation agreement, which was negotiated with the EU in the 1990s, has never been ratified. “Subject to progress in Belarus in these areas, the EU stands ready to take steps towards upgrading contractual relations with Belarus”, the ministers said on Monday. The forthcoming presidential elections of December 2010 will be an initial test. These elections must fulfil international democratic standards and comply with the commitments made by Belarus at the OSCE at the UN, the Council stresses. The fact that the Belarusian authorities have invited OSCE observers to monitor the elections is already a very good sign, the ministers state. In the meantime, the EU will continue its support to Belarusian civil society, in order to help it to promote the “development of a pluralistic and democratic environment in Belarus”. Additionally, the Commission is called upon to present a draft negotiation mandate as soon as possible to conclude a visa facilitation agreement and a readmission agreement with the country. (H.B./transl.fl)