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Minsk is still expecting «concrete actions» from the European Union, not hollow declarations, foreign ministry’s spokesman says

Minsk is still expecting “concrete actions” from the European Union, not hollow declarations, Andrey Papow, spokesman for the Belarusian foreign ministry, said while commenting on EU foreign ministers’ conclusions adopted at an External Relations Council meeting in Brussels on September 15.

“We have taken note of the changing attitude towards Belarus,” Mr. Papow said. According to him, the EU’s attempt to “outline possible avenues of improving” relations between the bloc and Belarus “opens ground for cautious optimism.” However, he added, the EU has not yet managed to completely get rid of its “inherent inertia” in its approach to Belarus.

Mr. Papow stressed that the Belarusian authorities had repeatedly announced their desire to conduct the forthcoming parliamentary elections in a transparent and democratic manner. “Belarus does not intend to draw back from its commitments,” he said.

In their conclusions, the EU foreign ministers made it clear that the European Union’s possible re-engagement with Belarus would depend on the nation’s September 28 parliamentary elections. The ministers pointed out that the forthcoming elections represent an opportunity for Belarus to demonstrate its respect for democratic values.

The ministers noted that the EU “is prepared to begin to review the restrictive measures against Belarusian leaders, and to take positive and concrete measures that may lead to a gradual re-engagement with Belarus, including via a meeting between the European Union troika and the Belarusian Minister for Foreign Affairs.” //BelaPAN