Ashton: There Should Be No Political Prisoners at the Centre of Europe
Belarus’ Foreign Minister Siarhiej Martynau was coolly welcomed in Brussels.
European Union representatives repeated their concern about the situation in Belarus at a meeting of the 27-nation bloc's and the Eastern Partnership's foreign ministers in Brussels on July 23. Such position was voiced by Catherine Ashton — the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy — at a press conference after the meeting, which was attended by Belarusian Foreign Minister Siarhiej Martynau.
Ms. Ashton reiterated the European Union's concern about respect for human rights, the rule of law, democracy and the independence of media in Belarus.
Ms. Ashton said that the European Union had used the meeting to demand again the release and exoneration of all political prisoners, an end to any repression in the country, and free and fair parliamentary elections in September.
The EU made a clear message that there should be no political prisoners at the center of Europe, according to Ms. Ashton.
The official said that the EU was sticking to a policy of critical engagement with Belarus. She described the Eastern Partnership as an important means of bringing Belarus toward European values and said that the EU was ready to expand cooperation with Belarus when the political situation in the country changed.
However, Belarusian Foreign Minister Siarhiej Martynau expressed his dissatisfaction and called on the European Union to refrain from discrimination against Belarus within its Eastern Partnership program.
Speaking at a meeting of the European Union and Eastern Partnership foreign ministers in Brussels, Mr. Martynau responded to criticism of the political and human rights situation in Belarus by saying that the EU must pay attention to problems regarding human rights in its member states.
Mr. Martynau also made specific proposals about projects that could be carried out in the framework of the Eastern Partnership program, according to the Belarusian foreign ministry's press office. He reportedly suggested that a special emphasis should be put on energy and transport, spheres that can give a new impetus to the implementation of Eastern Partnership projects.
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