Schwarzenberg heading to Minsk "to prepare ground" for Ferrero-Waldner
The European Radio for Belarus explores why the visits of some EU officials are postponed, while other European politicians head to Belarus. EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner has put off her visit to Belarus for the second consecutive time, because no significant changes in our country are taking place.
Belarus' former deputy foreign minister and currently the coordinator of the European Belarus civic campaign, Andrei Sannikov, commented as follows on this situation:
“I think it means that nothing what should be happening and what the Belarusian authorities promised is taking place Belarus. Benita Ferrero-Waldner voiced the following approach: why come if there is nothing to say, if the practical requirements pronounced by Brussels and detalised in the European Parliament resolution are not being met?”
It became known on April 9 that Benita Ferrero-Waldner once again put off her visit to Belarus for an indefinite term. This information was confirmed by Maria Vanshyna, a spokeswoman for Belarus' foreign ministry, citing a statement by Andrei Popov, the head of the ministry's press office.
Maria Vanshyna: “As for Waldner… The visit has been postponed. The new dates are being negotiated”.
Meanwhile, Belarus's foreign ministry has confirmed the reports about the planned visit of Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg.
Maria Vanshyna: “As for Schwarzenberg... We have received a request from the Czech side. This issue is not being processed”.
The visit is planned for April 16-17. At the background of the postponed visit by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the visit by Karel Schwarzenberg looks natural. In his view, it is the Czech Republic which now holds the EU presidency, should resolve problems with Belarus.
Andrei Sannikov: “This is a different issue, because the Czech Republic now chairs the EU presidency. Indeed, the Czech Republic has found itself in a very difficult situation in connection with the planned Eastern Partnership summit in Prague. As the host the EU chair, the Czech Republic wants to have something happening, because it does not want to fail the summit”.
Milas Leksa, the Czech coordinator for the Eastern Partnership, reckons that during Karel Schwarzenberg's visit in Minsk, he will discuss the participation of Alexander Lukashenka in the summit. However, in the view of the expert, the Belarusian president has already realized that he should not go to Prague.
“We have just begun preparing the visit (of the Czech foreign minister). The agenda is yet to be finalized and approved by the Belarusian side. Personally, I do not believe that Lukashenka will come to Prague on May 7. He is very well aware that he will have to hear unpleasant things. On the other hand, I am confident that he will not spoil an opportunity for a closer cooperation between Belarus and EU. I am almost sure that this issue will be discussed during Schwarzenberg's visit”.
But, Andrei Sannikov maintains that unless political prisoners are freed, Lukashenka will not get any invitation to Prague.
Photo www.radiosvoboda.org
Belarus' former deputy foreign minister and currently the coordinator of the European Belarus civic campaign, Andrei Sannikov, commented as follows on this situation:
“I think it means that nothing what should be happening and what the Belarusian authorities promised is taking place Belarus. Benita Ferrero-Waldner voiced the following approach: why come if there is nothing to say, if the practical requirements pronounced by Brussels and detalised in the European Parliament resolution are not being met?”
It became known on April 9 that Benita Ferrero-Waldner once again put off her visit to Belarus for an indefinite term. This information was confirmed by Maria Vanshyna, a spokeswoman for Belarus' foreign ministry, citing a statement by Andrei Popov, the head of the ministry's press office.
Maria Vanshyna: “As for Waldner… The visit has been postponed. The new dates are being negotiated”.
Meanwhile, Belarus's foreign ministry has confirmed the reports about the planned visit of Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg.
Maria Vanshyna: “As for Schwarzenberg... We have received a request from the Czech side. This issue is not being processed”.
The visit is planned for April 16-17. At the background of the postponed visit by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the visit by Karel Schwarzenberg looks natural. In his view, it is the Czech Republic which now holds the EU presidency, should resolve problems with Belarus.
Andrei Sannikov: “This is a different issue, because the Czech Republic now chairs the EU presidency. Indeed, the Czech Republic has found itself in a very difficult situation in connection with the planned Eastern Partnership summit in Prague. As the host the EU chair, the Czech Republic wants to have something happening, because it does not want to fail the summit”.
Milas Leksa, the Czech coordinator for the Eastern Partnership, reckons that during Karel Schwarzenberg's visit in Minsk, he will discuss the participation of Alexander Lukashenka in the summit. However, in the view of the expert, the Belarusian president has already realized that he should not go to Prague.
“We have just begun preparing the visit (of the Czech foreign minister). The agenda is yet to be finalized and approved by the Belarusian side. Personally, I do not believe that Lukashenka will come to Prague on May 7. He is very well aware that he will have to hear unpleasant things. On the other hand, I am confident that he will not spoil an opportunity for a closer cooperation between Belarus and EU. I am almost sure that this issue will be discussed during Schwarzenberg's visit”.
But, Andrei Sannikov maintains that unless political prisoners are freed, Lukashenka will not get any invitation to Prague.
Photo www.radiosvoboda.org
