Brussels, 03/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs/External Relations Council of 7 November is expected to restate its “deep concern” at the deteriorating situation of human rights and political freedoms in Belarus. EU foreign ministers will adopt conclusions in which they above all criticise the “harassment” on the part of the authorities against political parties, the independent media and non-governmental organisations. They will also deplore the reticence shown by President Lukashenko to conduct serious independent investigation into the disappearance of prominent opponents of the regime. “The EU wishes to see a stable, prosperous and democratic Belarus, respecting human rights and the rule of law”, the draft conclusions state. The 2006 presidential elections will be of vital importance for the country, which is why the EU calls on the government to ensure that the electoral process is “free and fair”, contrary to what had been the case during the parliamentary elections of 17 October 2004. Belarus is expected to issue an early invitation to a full OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, and notes the willingness of EU Member States to contribute to that mission, it is stated in the Council's draft conclusions of 7 November. According to these conclusions, the Council is ready to take “appropriate restrictive measures” (for example, a visa ban or freezing of assets) against individuals responsible for non-compliance with international commitments taken by Belarus, especially in the context of the OSCE. In the meantime, ministers will restate on Monday that the EU is resolved to intensify its support to the civil society. The European Commission has already initiated several actions in favour of a free media, but the Council is expected to invite it to do even more in this field. Ministers will also stress the importance of intensifying direct contacts between the citizens of the EU and of Belarus, via student exchange programmes, study trips, contacts between small and medium-sized enterprises and even between the officials of local authorities. The Council is also expected to welcome the decision of the EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, to send his personal representative to Belarus by the end of the year in order to express the EU's concerns directly to President Lushenko's government and to initiate dialogue with the civil society. Ministers will also welcome the Commission's intention to open a regionalised delegation in Minsk by the end of this year. (See EUROPE 9060 on the meeting of MEPs with the Belarusian opposition).