Belarus Invited OSCE to Opposition Trials

07.03.2011 12:26
Архив Редакция

Belarus invited OSCE observers to attend the trials of "the Case on December 19". The Head of Information, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Belarus Andrei Savinykh reported on this on March 5 in a Belarusian TV broadcast. "It is a technical mission which will observe the trial in terms of fulfillment of all obligations of Belarus in the context of membership in the OSCE", he said.

«We intend to develop cooperation with the OSCE literally on all fronts,» said the Foreign Ministry spokesman, BelTA reported.

Andrei Savinykh informed that in 2009-2010 Belarus cooperated actively enough with all European institutions. «It was about the development of civil society and media, we were actively working in the sphere of local government, environment and other spheres. Then the events occurred, and a wave or a parade of declarations sharply condemning Belarus was initiated. Very often these declarations were too emotional and, in fact, they disowned all the progress that was made in the two years», the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

According to him, the European partners position now «is undergoing a certain evolution, adjustment, there are different points of view.» Andrei Savinykh has also expressed incomprehension of the negative reaction to the closure of the OSCE office in Minsk, because, according to him, the mission’s mandate has long been fulfilled. «By closing the mission we actually save money on the support of quite a serious establishment. And this money could be spent more profitably on specific bilateral projects, which, incidentally, we offer the OSCE. And we demonstrated that clearly to our partners», said the spokesman.

Savinykh: Belarus is interested in the «Eastern Partnership»

«The program as an idea does not evoke any doubt from our side. We have some concerns and dissatisfaction with the way it is implemented», said the Foreign Ministry representative.

According to him, despite the fact that in this sphere there is very slow progress which «does not meet our expectations», still Belarus is not inclined «to write this program off, or consider it failed». «This project is in its development, now there is an active dialogue and discussion about how it should develop», said Andrei Savinykh, noting that 2011 could bring «certain progress in this direction.»

The MFA spokesman said that the implementation of certain projects is needed which will be beneficial both for Belarus and its neighbors such as Ukraine and Lithuania. First of all, it deals with cooperation in energetics, renewable energy, reducing emissions into the atmosphere, the development of border infrastructure, connection Belarus to the European system of transit goods declaration, the decision of visa issues.

Andrei Savinykh has also stated that the offer to start the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the EU «Eastern Partnership» (Euronest) without Belarus is nothing but the offer of «separate delegations or even individual politicians». «There was no decision about running Euronest in such format accepted», he said.

«We are ready to participate in the Euronest, but on the same terms as all other states — participants and delegations», said the Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Savinykh: «Polish Card» divides society

The representative of the Foreign Ministry has also commented on the situation with the «Polish Card». He noted that the Constitutional Court of Belarus had to reach a verdict whether this instrument or institution comply with Belarusian and international laws. «When this is done, we will have a tool that is a benchmark for comparison, compliance with the Polish law that introduced this «Polish Card», said Andrei Savinykh.

He stressed that the «Polish Card» can be given only to the residents of the former Soviet Union, and «in Argentina, and Chicago this «Polish Card» can not be seen, it is somewhat strange, it raises questions as the universal principles work effectively worldwide». The document also is issued only to those Poles who perform specific work in the interests of Poland, as a result some Belarusian citizens of Polish descent do not get it this card. «All this is more likely to deepen the dividing lines», said Andrei Savinykh. 

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