11:54 Belarus under fresh criticism from European Commission

Benita Fererra-Waldnere, the EU Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy, poured fresh criticism at the Belarusian authorities for their handling of the Freedom Day celebrations on March 25 in Minsk. “I am disappointed with the reports about the arrest ahead of and during the March 25 democntration in Belarus," The Financial News Agency quoted her as saying. The EU Commissioner also urged the "the Belarusian authorities to release immediately all of those who were detained for peacfully expressing their views".

Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, used March 25 as yet another opportunity to remind the government in Belarus about the European Union's proposal to begin a close cooperation, based on the respect to democracy and human rights.