Strasbourg, 29/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - Thursday's adoption by a large majority, of a common resolution by the European Parliament, means in effect that, “the parliament elected in Belarus has not been invested with a genuine democratic mandate to represent the people of Belarus and does not recognise the legitimacy of the referendum”. MEPs gave their support for increased neutrality of the media, the democratic opposition and students, and have called on the Council to include the issue of Belarus in the agenda for the next EU/Russia summit on 11 November. Moscow's vision “unfortunately does not correspond” with that of the EU, acknowledged Atzo Nicolai, the Dutch Minister of European affairs. MEPs are seeking to “strengthen the political isolation policy” of President Loukachenko and members of the regime in Belarus, and are expected to impose “targeted sanctions”, such as refusal to grant visas.
During the debates, the Council and the Commission reaffirmed that it was particularly necessary to support civil society, but did not mention any concrete action that could be implemented in this respect. Mr Nicoli regretted the way the general election had been held, in which “very few candidates from the opposition were able to put themselves forward and none of whom were elected”. On the other hand, “the referendum had been adopted and Loukachenko has the chance to be re-elected for a third mandate, indeed become president for life”, underlined the minister. He pointed out that “since 1997, relations between the EU and Belarushave been at a dead-end and all technical aid had been abandoned” but said that it had not closed the door to changes, “if Belarus is prepared to go commit itself to the democratic path”. Gunter Verheugen listed the attacks on fundamental freedoms and described the political climate that reigned in Belarus as negative and where, “the freedom of association was under threat, as was freedom of the media and unions and every day dissident voices are being silenced”. On the basis of the Commission enquiry into violation of union rights, the Commissioner explained that they would see whether “Belarus is able to preserves the benefits of generalised preferences”.
Vytautas Landsbergis (EPP-ED, Lithuanian), firstly attacked Moscow's influence and its protection of the Loukachenko regime. Referring to the ineffectiveness of EU appeals before the election, Jan Marinus Wiersma (PES, Dutch), ruled out any rapprochement and reaffirmed that “Loukachenko has to remain isolated internationally”. He also called for support for the opposition and recommended measures by the US Congress to be followed. Drawing on the conclusions by the Council and Commission, he did, nevertheless, consider it imperative to “enter into contact with Moscow”. Speaking for the Liberals, Janusz Onyszkiewicz (ALDE, Polish) said that he hoped that civil society was made aware by the actions taken in the media and that EU measures were “coordinated with those of the USA”. Elisabeth Schroedter (Greens-EFA, German) was not very pleased with the Council and Commission's declaration, where “no new concrete measures figured”. She declared that “We are not dwelling on the Russian factor but acting in favour of a democratic Belarus”. Jiri Mastalka (GUE-NGL, Czech) believed that Belarus could play an interesting role on the condition that it was not isolated and that it would be necessary to direct aid to the people, such as those contaminated at Chernobyl and students.