Brussels, 16/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, EU foreign ministers decided to extend for one year the “restrictive measures” (ban on staying in EU territory and freeze on assets) in place since 2006 against the main Belarus leaders who are guilty of human rights violation and of failure to respect fundamental freedoms. However, in order to encourage President Alexander Lukashenko to pursue his (timid) road towards democratic opening noted in recent months, the External Relations Council has suspended application of part of these sanctions - namely the visa ban - for 9 months, i.e. until mid-December this year. On the other hand, the freeze on assets of persons involved remains entirely in force. In practice, the situation therefore remains unchanged as, in October 2008, the Council had already suspended measures. This suspension has today been extended for nine more months. At the end of the year, the Council will carry out an in-depth review of sanctions. If development in Belarus is positive, the possibility of lifting measures may be envisaged, ministers stress in conclusions adopted on Monday.
The EU remains willing to deepen its relations with Belarus as long as the country makes concrete progress towards democracy, human rights and the rule of law, the conclusions read. If substantial improvements are made at these different levels, the EU is willing to include Minsk in European neighbourhood policy (ENP) and in the Eastern partnership which is to be launched during the 7 May summit in Prague. The question of the Belarus president possibly being invited to this summit “was not tackled” during Monday's Council meeting, said a spokesman for the Czech EU Presidency. There seems to be little chance, however, that Mr Lukashenko will appear on the family photo of the Prague summit, diplomats say.
After the meeting, Council President Karel Schwarzenberg said he felt optimistic that the Minsk authorities would have understood the Council's message. “I truly believe that today's decision will encourage President Lukashenko to take additional measures” for democratic opening in the “interest of his people”, the Czech foreign minister said. He above all stressed that Belarus should respect all its commitments taken within the OSCE framework. (H.B./transl.jl)