The foreign ministers of Germany and Poland arrived in Minsk on Tuesday, November 2 to urge the Belarusian authorities to hold presidential elections in accordance with democratic standards . German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that the election would be a test for democracy in Belarus. According to him, the authorities should allow opposition candidates and critical media operating without restrictions.
In turn, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated about the possibility of Minsk to receive billions of Euros as aid in case of holding fair elections. «According to our calculations, Belarus could count on the amount of €3 billion within three years, in case it holds fair elections,» the minister said, noting that the financing would be provided if Minsk took part in the EU regional programs, Korrespondent.net.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko promised the guests not to violate the elections. «I want to assure you that the election will be without a hitch. Voting will take place in accordance with the highest democratic standards,» he said, noting that it’s important for Minsk to have these elections recognized by the international community.
It is known, the parliament of Belarus set the presidential elections date in the country on December 19, 2010. Alexander Lukashenko, having worked in office three terms, will run for these elections.
