EU expects more steps from Belarus
Within four months remaining for Belarus to meet EU conditions, the Belarusian side has to revise the media law and several articles in the Penal Code, to allow accreditation for journalists working with the foreign media and to change policies towards the operation of the independent media.
Holzapfel: “We had deliberately not created a step-by-step strategy, because it had been important to us to see positive change continuing. Therefore, the evaluation of these changes still remains an open question. As for the media field, we were taking two levels in our attention: legal regulation (the media law and some articles in the Penal Code that require revision). The second level should be reflected in the actions of the government: the permission to distribute independent newspapers and the issue of accreditation of foreign journalists”.
Additionally, Europe is expecting positive changes in the electoral laws from Belarus. Practically, it could mean the reduction of the number of presidential terms in accordance with the OSCE standards.
Holzapfel: “We can also consider here such private aspects as the number of presidential terms. However, such issues will and should be considered in terms of their compatibility or incompatibility with the OSCE international standards”.
It is yet to be known if the European Union abolishes sanctions after the fulfillment of all the conditions. The decision will be taken by the European Union’s Council.
EU President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner today held a press conference in Brussels. Mrs Ferrero-Waldner stressed that Belarus was welcome into the program of Eastern Partnership. However, it depends on Belarus in the first place and the positive changes here how the relations will look like.
Ferrero-Waldner: “Belarus. We always said: our proposal is available to Belarus. But, naturally, the country should become ripe for that. They must meet the standards. Yesterday, we received six ambassadors, including from Belarus. They know what they should do to become a member of the Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership”.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner also added that not only the Eastern sector -- Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine – would get benefits from the bilateral cooperation, but the European Union as well. According to the commissioner, with the help of Eastern Partnership, the European Union will try to open up new markets and build up a neighborhood economic zone.
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