Lithuanian MEP Justas Paleckis commented on the EU decision to extend for a year visa bans on a number of Belarusian officials and impose simultaneously a moratorium on their use. "I think this is another chance to Minsk. It is only necessary to understand that chances can not be provided indefinitely," the parliamentarian said.
«I hope that presidential elections in Belarus this time will be really much more democratic than before. Although, taking into consideration the skepticism of the leading opposition politicians about the campaign, as well as the fact that the official Minsk shows no apparent steps toward democratization, the hope is not so real», Justas Paleckis said, the Belarusian office of Deutsche Welle informs.
MEP believes that the return to a policy of sanctions and isolation against Belarus is ineffective. «I was against the policy of isolation for all seven years of my work in the European Parliament. The time of confrontation in Europe is long gone, and only through cooperation, accompanied, of course, with certain conditions, we can achieve real progress,» Justas Paleckis said.
«The more is that the sanctions applied against Belarus are not contributing to the goal, they are increasingly prone to ordinary citizens, rather than representatives of the authorities. In this regard, I always remember that two decades ago, the West just through a policy of cooperation rather than sanctions, made changes in the USSR», the MP added.
I do not expect miracles from the elections in Belarus, Paleckis
According to Justas Paleckis, «the things can be clarified now» in the relations between Belarus and the EU. «The conflict with Moscow seems to make the Belarusian leadership aware of what is expected of him in Brussels, and take appropriate action. I do not call in any way for confrontation with Russia, as the best way for a rapprochement with the EU implies a constructive relationship with Brussels and Moscow», MEP said.
«I expect by no means any miracles from these elections. But I still have a glimmer of hope that they will demonstrate movement toward Europe while maintaining good relations with Russia (without propaganda wars)», Justas Paleckis said.
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