Intrigue: Will Belarus be named in Eastern Partnership summit declaration?

It is still unknown whether the declaration of the "Eastern Partnership" summit will have any space for an appeal to the Belarusian authorities to release political prisoners.

The next draft version of the document does not contain a special paragraph on Belarus. However, there are rumours that the European Union will manage to convince its partners in the program in the last minute.

A conference of non-governmental organizations is taking place in Warsaw simultaneously with the summit, which is to start in the evening on September 29. 

Belarusian participants of the conference have prepared a special appeal to the EU President German Van Roompay and Poland's PM Donald Tusk, in which they support the EU's strict position with regard to release of political prisoners.

In the appeal, Belarusian activists urge the governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to support the EU's approach. 

At the same time, "landing troops" of Belarusian politicians, including three ex-presidential candidates (Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Vital Rymasheuski, Ryhor Kastusyou) meet with European activists today.

Anatol Lyabedzka explains the essence of the conversations: "Our task is to convey the most important message, what to do with Belarus. The first step is release and rehabilitation of political prisoners, the second one is free elections in accordance with the OSCE standards, the third is the plan of economic support of Belarus".

Anatol Lyabedzka and other Belarusian politicians want the Belarusian issue to be among the EU's priorities.

Syarhej Kalyakin: "We expect that Belarus will be in the first linesof the European agenda".

However, expert of the Polish Institute for Eastern studies Kamil Klysinski says that the European Union has enough of its own problems.

Kamil Klysinski: "Sometimes I have an impression that the Belarusian opposition over-estimates Belarus' meaning for the EU. It's not a question of life and death for Brussels".

Moreover, Belarus continues self-isolation. The decision to send a Belarusian Ambassador to Poland Haysyanok to represent the country, and not the Foreign Minister, is another proof of the above, adds the expert.

Kamil Klysinski: "Belarusian authorities narrow their contacts with the EU themselves. It would have been a nice opportunity for a Foreign Minister to come and to contact any politicians at the summit".

Belarusian political scientist Andrej Yahorau thinks that the decision to decrease the level of representation and not to send Syarhej Martynau to the summit is rather a demonstrative step. Like, Belarus does not need cooperation with the European Union much and can disrespect its conditions.

Andrej Yahorau: "It is a demonstration rather that the reality. As now it is very important for Belarus to cooperate with the EU - in the period of complicated economic condition and pressure from Russia".

Another intrigue of the day - whether the Belarusian politicians will manage to meet with one of the most influential European politicians - German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

INFORMATION: Inauguration of the "Eastern Partnership", founded due to the efforts of Poland and Sweden, took place on May 7, 2009 in Prague. The European Union offers Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to support reforms, to create a free trade sphere, to simplify visa regime even till non-visa movement. In exchange, the EU wants to see democracy, supremacy of law and protection of human rights.

PHOTO:  Photographic service of the Council of the EU