Carl Bildt: Sweden in talks over ambassador's return to Minsk
European MFAs have commented on the situation in Belarus ahead of the Council of the EU session.
The Council of the EU session's agenda includes among other issues the situation in Syria
and Iran, EU's relations with Russia and energy supplies. The foreign ministers of EU member states will
also discuss the situation in Belarus, says EU High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy
Catherine Ashton:
"Today, we turn our
attention to the Eastern neighborhood. In our opinion, the election in Belarus
is a lost opportunity. We will continue to use the means of influence that we
have. We believe that political prisoners should be released and properly
rehabilitated."
Before the meeting, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt recalled Belarus. When asked by journalists when the Swedish Ambassador would return to Minsk, the diplomat was unable to give a precise answer to this question.
Carl Bildt:
"I do not know, I cannot
tell a specific date, but we are ready now. The negotiations on this issue are
in progress. Today we are going to adopt restrictive and other measures against
Belarus as this country still has political prisoners. Therefore, the measures
will be continued. Well, we hope that Belarus will respect the principles of
diplomatic cooperation and contacts that exist between all the countries.
"
Euroradio reminds that on October 15 the Council of the EU plans to discuss the
situation in Belarus after the parliamentary election. It is also expected that
Uladzimir Makey, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, may be
withdrawn from the list of persons banned from entering the EU territory. The
previous head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, Syarhei Martynau, was not
included into the "black list." Thus the EU wants to keep an
opportunity for a dialogue between Minsk and Brussels.
Photo: pinchukfund.org.