Opposition politicians meet with EU ambassadors

Belarus' opposition politicians met with European Union ambassadors on September 29. Taking part in the meeting were Anatol Lyabedzka of the United Civic Party, former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin, Alyaksandr Milinkevich of the Movement for Freedom, Syarhey Kalyakin of the Belarusian Party of Communists, Anatol Lyaukovich of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party "Hramada," Alyaksey Yanukevich of the Belarusian Popular Front and Paval Sevyarynets of the Belarusian Christian Democracy.  

The meeting was closed to the press, Lyabedzka told BelaPAN. He said that he had suggested that the EU should assist Belarus with loans and investment only on condition that the government holds a free and fair election.

 

"A free election is impossible without the free media, the registration of political parties and groups or under conditions of politically motivated persecution. There must be systemic changes toward a transparent election process not limited to cosmetic measures," BelaPAN quoted Lyabedzka as saying.