06/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The British Presidency published the following declaration on 5 October on behalf of the European Union following the harassment of the independent newspaper Narodnaya Volya in Belarus: 'The European Union expresses its concern for the future of the independent press in Belarus following the harassment of the last remaining independent daily newspaper Narodnaya Volya. The EU condemns the crippling fine imposed on the newspaper and the termination of printing and distribution contracts by the state owned monopoly printers and distributors. The EU regrets that the media space is increasingly controlled by the government and is concerned that this latest development will further limit the access of the Belarusian people to free and objective reporting of events in the country. The EU calls on the Government of Belarus to respect its OSCE commitments on Freedom of Expression, Free Media and Information and to allow the independent media to operate freely. The EU also calls on the Minister of Information to meet with the EU Heads of Mission in Minsk to discuss the situation of the media in Belarus. (See EUROPE 9039 on the European Parliament resolution.)

European Parliament plenary session