Ferrero-Waldner: The current main point is changes in Election Code
The Commissioner has explained the symbolicalness of her visit to Belarus and named the issues that will be discussed in Minsk in an interview with ERB. З візAn EU Commissioner Benita-Ferrero-Waldner has arrived in Minsk. She will meet Alyaksandr Lukashenka and opposition representatives today.
The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy has told ERB that the main point that will be discussed today is changes in the Election Code. Furthermore, there are a number of other questions on the agenda:
Ferrero-Waldner: “There should be the freedom of the press. It is really important for us. We would also like to see openness in the process of registration of political parties and non-governmental organizations. We will demand to release all political prisoners. And the main point is that we would like to see changes in the Election Code and in the composition of election commissions according to the OSCE standards”.
The Commissioner noted that the beginning was good in Belarus. However, the European Union has not seen the steps to be realized yet. She added that the Belarusian administration had some time until December:
Ferrero-Waldner: “Belarus will have a very good opportunity to cooperate with us if it happens. They main idea is to meet half-way. We have some time until December. The Council of Ministers of all EU member-states will gather again in December to asses the situation. If they see some real progress, it will be possible to move forward”.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner has also noted that it is the first visit of an EU commissioner to Belarus. According to her, there is great symbolical importance in it.
The full interview will appear on our website soon.
Photo by: www.euromedinfo.eu
The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy has told ERB that the main point that will be discussed today is changes in the Election Code. Furthermore, there are a number of other questions on the agenda:
Ferrero-Waldner: “There should be the freedom of the press. It is really important for us. We would also like to see openness in the process of registration of political parties and non-governmental organizations. We will demand to release all political prisoners. And the main point is that we would like to see changes in the Election Code and in the composition of election commissions according to the OSCE standards”.
The Commissioner noted that the beginning was good in Belarus. However, the European Union has not seen the steps to be realized yet. She added that the Belarusian administration had some time until December:
Ferrero-Waldner: “Belarus will have a very good opportunity to cooperate with us if it happens. They main idea is to meet half-way. We have some time until December. The Council of Ministers of all EU member-states will gather again in December to asses the situation. If they see some real progress, it will be possible to move forward”.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner has also noted that it is the first visit of an EU commissioner to Belarus. According to her, there is great symbolical importance in it.
The full interview will appear on our website soon.
Photo by: www.euromedinfo.eu
