Brussels, 23/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - Javier Solana, High Representative for Cfsp, spoke to Sergei Martynov, Belarus Deputy Foreign Minister in Brussels on 22 August about the preparations for the parliamentary elections scheduled in that country for 15 October.
A press release states that Solana "stressed the need for Belarusian authorities to take further decisive measures in the preparations for the elections" and that, while welcoming steps taken during recent weeks by the country's authorities, the High Representative placed emphasis on the need for "further rapid progress". Mr. Solana, the press release adds, recalled the latest assessments by the OSCE and the Council of Europe and "encouraged the President and Government to make every effort to meet the guidelines and conditions set by the international community". Mr. Solana also stressed Europe's interest in having free and fair elections in Belarus and expressed his hope that the October elections would "become a positive step towards establishing a genuine and deep-rooted democracy in Belarus".
You may recall that a Council of Europe delegation that went to Belarus from 31 July to 4 August considered that the conditions for the holding of free and fair elections had still not been met, and, under those conditions, recommended that no observers be sent for the elections. The final decision on sending observers has to be taken on 31 August, at a joint OSCE/Council of Europe/EU meeting.