14/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - The president of the EPP-ED Group at the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, has strongly condemned the fact that the Belarusian authorities have made it impossible for Ms Angelika Borys, the leader of the Union of Poles in Belarus, to travel with Alexandre Milinkevich to Strasbourg this week to participate in the Sakharov Prize award ceremony (see EUROPE 9326). Mr Pöttering, who is deeply concerned by the ongoing intimidation of the political opposition and their leaders in Belarus, demands the immediate release of Ms Borys' passport thereby making it possible for her to travel to Strasbourg. (mg)