Belarus officials do not rush to EU
The European Union in October 2008 lifted visa sanctions for some Belarus officials, but they do not seem be in a hurry to travel to Europe. When lifting the visa ban for some Belarusian officials, the European Union offered a six-month trial period for the official Minsk to make democratization steps. However, Mikalai Lazavik, the secretary of the Central Election Commission, has had neither desire nor a need to visit Europe so far.
Mikalai Lazavik: I have had neither desire nor a need to travel. Usually, I would travel on business duties only. If there is a need, such a trip will be initiated. But there has been no need for it so far.
However, he says if he is invited to attend a seminar on election technologies or as an election observer, he would not refuse.
The Central Election Commission of Belarus has not yet received such an invitation, though the second round of the parliamentary elections in Lithuania took place on October 26 after the sanctions had been lifted.
Former senator Mikalai Charhinets has not felt any difference after the ban was lifted, either.
Mikalai Charhinets: I have not travelled much, but I want to say that even with the so called visa sanctions I always travelled when I had to.
According to Chahrynets, the trips were "to attend the sessions of international organizations". He has no plans to travel to EU in the near future, either:
Former lawmaker Siarhei Kastsyan is not rushing to Europe, either. He has plans to visit several countries in the European Union to attend events associated with the Slavic movement.
We remind that the European Union suspended its sanctions till April 2009. If Europe thinks that the liberalization in Belarus is not fast enough, Siarhei Kastsian may not make it to the Czech Republic and Bulgaria on time.
Photo: Radio Svaboda
Mikalai Lazavik: I have had neither desire nor a need to travel. Usually, I would travel on business duties only. If there is a need, such a trip will be initiated. But there has been no need for it so far.
However, he says if he is invited to attend a seminar on election technologies or as an election observer, he would not refuse.
The Central Election Commission of Belarus has not yet received such an invitation, though the second round of the parliamentary elections in Lithuania took place on October 26 after the sanctions had been lifted.
Former senator Mikalai Charhinets has not felt any difference after the ban was lifted, either.
Mikalai Charhinets: I have not travelled much, but I want to say that even with the so called visa sanctions I always travelled when I had to.
According to Chahrynets, the trips were "to attend the sessions of international organizations". He has no plans to travel to EU in the near future, either:
Former lawmaker Siarhei Kastsyan is not rushing to Europe, either. He has plans to visit several countries in the European Union to attend events associated with the Slavic movement.
We remind that the European Union suspended its sanctions till April 2009. If Europe thinks that the liberalization in Belarus is not fast enough, Siarhei Kastsian may not make it to the Czech Republic and Bulgaria on time.
Photo: Radio Svaboda
