Brussels, 20/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 20 January, the European Parliament harshly condemned recent events in Belarus. It demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of all those arrested after the presidential election on 19 December. In a common resolution approved on Thursday 20 January, Parliament called on the Council to reintroduce sanctions against Belarus leaders. It is calling for the question of suspending Belarus participation in Eastern Partnership activities to be examined by the time of the partnership summit in Budapest (26 May) at the latest. This suspension should not, however, apply to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or to civil society, explain MEPs. They are also calling for new elections to be held, as well as a review of EU policy on the country. This would consist of redirecting financial aid covered by European Neighbourhood Policy. Parliament proposes that targeted economic sanctions are looked at, as well as freezing all macro-financial aid (loans from the IMF, EIB and the EBRD). A visa ban and the freezing of assets could be extended to state officials, members of the judiciary and certain state security agents. It could be maintained until the regime opponents are freed, explain MEPs.
During the previous vote, Catherine Ashton made similar comments. The events in Belarus had been a shock for the EU high representative. Ashton said that her meeting with the minister of foreign affairs had left her with no doubt that these events are an affront to the EU's idea of human rights and democracy. She said that the EU's position must be coordinated with that of its partners but that it must be clear and balanced. Support to civil society must be targeted and directed towards NGOs, the media and students (by, for example, facilitating student grants). According to the high representative, the option for imposing a ban on Loukaschenko travelling to the EU could be envisaged for the short-term. She also encouraged a rethink on how best to direct financial aid on the basis of the real needs of the people. With regard to medium-term relations with Belarus, the high representative of the EU said that a pause in the process was required but that it should not be abandoned. The head of the EC's delegation for relations with Belarus, Jacek Protasiewicz (EPP, Poland) said that the policy of offering its hand to Belarus and dialogue could not continue. He called for targeted sanctions. During the debate before the vote, other MEPs, such as the Bulgarian Kristian Vigenin, put more emphasis on the necessity of refraining from further isolating Belarus citizens. Kristiina Ojuland (ALDE, Estonia) proposed a pan-European forum on the future of Belarus. She also criticised the tolerance demonstrated by Russia towards the events accompanying the elections. Heidi Hautala (Greens/EFA, Finland) called for an OSCE enquiry to be launched, if needs be, by the UN. Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (EPP, Poland) said that aid to Belarus had been too little and had to be revised within the context of a long-term strategy. He considers that the way in which the EU responds to the issue of Belarus will be decisive in the whole region. Belarus citizens should be welcome in the EU and the people repressing the citizens of Belarus should be banned, explained Edvard Kožušnik (ECR, Czech Republic). According to Elena Basescu from Romania (EPP), Belarus should have the advantages it obtains from the partnership withdrawn. She said that this would be a targeted sanction and the country would have no problem understanding what it meant. (A.By./L.G./transl.fl)