Czech foreign minister: Belarus still has time to solve its fate
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout says that Prague has been closely following the situation in Belarus and what Belarus officials should do to allow the EU to l
Euroradio: In autumn, EU's Council of Ministers will considers a very important issue for Belarus -- the issue of lifting sanctions against Belarus officials.
We all know that the pace of democratization in Belarus should be improved. We can see currently that some developments in Belarus are hindering the country's democratization, e.g. in the field of freedom of speech and human rights. We are concerned that with the presidential elections approaching, the human rights situation would deteriorate.
What will be Czech Republic's position over the issue of lifting the sanctions if the situation with human rights in Belarus deteriorates?
Jan Kohout: “We, the Czech Republic and the Czech diplomacy, have been following the human rights situation and the steps towards the democratization in Belarus very closely. We are concerned by several new moments or attacks on the independent media and NGOs.
The issue of EU sanctions will be considered in the fall, and I think there is still quite enough time in order to receive a clear answer from Minsk how the fate of the country is seen from there. The future of the sanction is not only in our hands. It is rather in the hands of the administration and the government in Minsk.
Whether the sanctions were lifted or not will not be decided by the Czech Republic. It will be decided by how Minsk will behave and communicate. This is not blackmail from our side. This is just a promotion of democratic principles, standards and values which we consider efficient and universal not only for the Eastern Europe or our country but also for Belarus.
Speaking differently, in case of Belarus' failure to make steps and progress with the human rights situation or steps towards the democratization that we numerously talked about, I can hardly imagine any serious positive change in the position of the Czech Republic.
But I still believe that the available time will motivate faster for positive steps by Minsk -- the steps that will convince us that the situation is indeed significantly changing”.
Photo: aktualne.centrum.cz
