The European Parliament welcomes the constructive and active participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership, an initiative aimed at strengthening democracy and the rule of law and promoting European cooperation; regards Belarus's participation in the Eastern Partnership as a way forward to promote further dialogue with the European Union and deeper rapprochement based on a readiness and commitment on the part of Belarus to attain these objectives; welcomes trilateral cooperation between Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine in the framework of the Eastern Partnership, with priority given to projects on integrated border management, transport and transit, the common cultural and historical heritage, social security and energy security;
Urges Belarus to continue to cooperate with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE/ODIHR) on the electoral code and expects the new Electoral Law to be in line with international standards and to enter into the force before the local elections planned for spring 2010.
Insists that clear and significant progress towards democratisation is expected within the next year in order for the sanctions to be completely lifted and that the conditions for full re-engagement with Belarus should be
The European Parliament has condemned the police action and legal measures taken against the Union of Poles in Belarus and the attempts by the authorities to impose a new leadership on the Polish community. MEPs also urge the Belarus authorities to release political activists such as Andrei Bandarenko and prisoners of conscience such as Ivan Mikhailau and Aristyom Dubski.
Brussels, 9 December 2009. In my capacity of a Chairman of the European Delegation for Relations with Belarus, I observe with deep concern a regress in human rights situation in Belarus, namely - the recent intensification of politically-motivated intimidations of youth activists for their political and civic activities.
"It is imperative to cooperate with Belarus in all areas and at every possible level, i.e. not only with members of the political opposition or civil society but also with Minsk. However such cooperation cannot take place at any cost", commented Laima Andrikienė MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the European Parliament, on the forthcoming visit of the President of Belarus, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, to Lithuania.
During a conference in the European Parliament on 'The EU and Belarus Six Months After: Achievements and Challenges Ahead' the EPP-ED Group was represented by Jacek Protasiewicz MEP, Chairman of the EP Delegation for Relations with Belarus, who welcomed the Belarusian visitors and highlighted the main aspects of the current situation in Belarus as seen from the perspective of the European Union, in particular the European Parliament.
