The resolution stipulates that in order to further improve relations with EU Belarus should remain a country without political prisoners, guarantee freedom of expression for the media, continue to cooperate with the OSCE on reform of the electoral law, improve conditions for the work of NGOs and guarantee freedom of assembly and political association.
According to Radio Liberty, the resolution was adopted by 551 votes in favour, 15 against and 31 abstentions. Some 20 MEPs took part in a heated debated, the most active being representatives of the Polish delegation.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, welcomed the steps taken by the Belarusian authorities toward the EU recommendations. She also stressed that Brussels had intentions to come forward with new offers to the official Minsk. According to the BelaPan news agency, the Commissioner plans a dialogue between the authorities and opposition as well as a meeting between the EU and Belarusian MPs. However, a new chapter in the EU-Belarus relations can be started only if the EU drops all sanctions against the Belarusian authorities after 13 April 2009.
In his interview to the BelaPan news agency, political scientist Yury Chavusau points to the active development of relations between the EU and Belarus and the change in their nature. Chavusau notes that Brussels has given up the roadmap approach, a must-do list of conditions for the Belarusian authorities. Instead, now the EU only hints a direction of desirable changes, while it is up to Minsk to decide on concrete steps. Yet the main part of negotiations is done unofficially, and the political scientist believes it to be against the interests of ordinary Belarusians, “One could unofficially discuss a situation with political prisoners, but not how many independent newspapers would return to distribution by subscription.” Mr Chavusau is certain that if there were an open discussion, EU would never agree with the fact that only two independent publications were restored to their rights.
Text of the resolution:
In Belarusian and English
