Brussels, 25/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Irish Secretary of State for foreign affairs, Tom Kitt, met on Tuesday on behalf of the presidency of the Council of the EU, a group of Belarusian opposition leaders. At this even, Kit announced an appeal to President Loukachenko and the authorities in Minsk that they put an end to their self-isolation that they have imposed over recent years, "the government of Belarus should end its current period of self-isolation from the international community and claim its rightful place in a free and democratic Europe without dividing lines", declared Mr Kitt. The EU is ready to provide the necessary assistance to promote this process and engage in constructive dialogue with the leaders of this country with which it has not diplomatic relations. Kit underlined the deep concern over the human rights situation in Belarus which "has seriously deteriorated in previous months". It is vitally important that the EU remains vigilant, declared Kitt. The Belarus delegation also held meetings with the European Commission and the CFSP High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, as well as political leaders and representatives from human rights organisations.