Brussels, 14/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - On the request of Latvia, Monday's General Affairs and External Relations Council discussed the situation in Belarus and President Lukachenko's plans to change the constitution to allow him to stand for a third term as President. In the conclusions adopted on Monday, ministers expressed 'great concern that the incumbent President of Belarus has called for a referendum to be held in parallel with the parliamentary elections on 17 October 2004 to change the constitution of Belarus to allow a president to run without limitations in future presidential elections. The Council recognises the right of Belarus to hold a referendum as a way to decide on its political and constitutional organisations but stresses the need to hold such a referendum in accordance with OSCE and Council of Europe standards. The Council has serious and well-grounded doubts as to whether the necessary conditions for holding a free and fair referendum in Belarus are fulfilled. On the contrary, the state of democracy, rule of law and human rights in Belarus are deteriorating, as demonstrated inter alia by the recent closure of a number of independent newspapers and the continued repression of the opposition…. The Council once again reiterates its hope that Belarus will take its rightful place among European democratic countries. In this case, the EU would be able to further develop relations between the EU and Belarus, including in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy. If, however, the parliamentary elections and the announced referendum do not take place under free and fair conditions, this cannot remain without its consequences for the relations.'