LITHUANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DREW EU MINISTERS’ ATTENTION TO UNDEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN BELARUS
On 10-11 March during the Informal EU Foreign Ministers Meeting in Salzburg Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis indicated that presidential election campaign in Belarus does not conform to democratic norms, citizens and opposition wishing to express their will are restrained by brutal means.
“Arrests of heads of opposition and their agents show that current administration is afraid of democratic elections and will impede a fair election campaign,” the Head of Lithuanian diplomacy said.
EU Foreign Ministers considered introduction of visa ban for members of Belarusian election commission in case of falsification of election results. Visa ban will be also imposed on persons responsible for repressions. Lithuanian Foreign Minister disagreed with introduction of economic sanctions (recall of common preference system) saying that this decision will have negative effect more on people of Belarus than on the authorities.
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed conviction that elections in Ukraine will be democratic.
“Ukraine steps a difficult way of reforms and it needs consistent assistance of the European Union: conclusion of free trade agreement and strong signal on European integration perspective,” Minister Valionis said.
According to Lithuanian Minister EU’s support for Ukraine during gas crisis was insufficient.
“The signal of support is required now, when Ukraine started implementation of agreements on control of the border with Moldova,” Mr Valionis marked.
EU Foreign Ministers also touched upon the issues of the Near East peace process, Iran, dialogue of civilizations; discussed the development of the Western Balkans region and met with Foreign Ministers of the Balkan states.
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