EU official: Political prisoners not linked with trade preferences
The early release of political prisoners Mikola Statkevich and Pavel Seviarynets will not affect a decision to exclude Belarus from the EU's General Preferences System, Jean-Erich Holzapfel, the European Commission's envoy to Ukraine and Belarus said on May 23 during an on-line conference with the web-based Belorusskie Novosti newspaper.
"The mechanism of the General Preferences System is by no means connected with political prisoners. It is connected with the defense of human rights and the meeting of the requiremenrts of the International Labor Organization," Mr Holzapfel noted.
The sanctions against Belarus were introduced conditionally in December 2006 with the suspended term of 6 months. If the preferences are eventually abolished, Belarus would lose EUR400 million annually, reports Belapan news agency.
BelaPAN
"The mechanism of the General Preferences System is by no means connected with political prisoners. It is connected with the defense of human rights and the meeting of the requiremenrts of the International Labor Organization," Mr Holzapfel noted.
The sanctions against Belarus were introduced conditionally in December 2006 with the suspended term of 6 months. If the preferences are eventually abolished, Belarus would lose EUR400 million annually, reports Belapan news agency.
BelaPAN
