Brussels, 26/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - The commissioner for external relations has described herself as “disappointed” by the arrests in Minsk on 25 March before and during events to mark the 90th anniversary of the first Belarusian independence. Many demonstrations which were under way peacefully on Sunday were threatened or prevented from meeting on the October Square in the Belarusian capital. “I call upon the Belarusian authorities immediately to free all those who were detained for having expressed their views freely and peacefully”, said Benita Ferrero-Waldner in a press release on Monday. Reiterating the EU's willingness to found a partnership with Belarus on the basis of respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, she called upon the authorities of the country to evaluate this European offer and to initiate the process of democratisation, which the population both needs and calls for. (ab)