The head of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek, Foreign Affairs Committee, the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the European Parliament delegations for relations with Belarus and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Eastern Partnership (Euronest) issued a joint statement regarding Belarus. The statement contains five basic requirements to the European Union on Belarus, the press service of the European Parliament.
In particular, the first requirement of the European Parliament to the EU regarding Belarus is a ban on entry and assets freezing of the Belarusian officials related to the crackdown on the opposition rally in Minsk on December 19. Repeal of these measures should depend on the release of all opposition leaders, detained in connection with these events, the statement said.
The second requirement is to strengthen financial support to Belarusian civil society, independent media and non-governmental organizations. The increase of financial aid and scholarships for Belarusian students, excluded from universities for participating in peaceful protests, is the European Parliament’s third requirement to the EU.
Next comes the question of visa fees reduction for Belarusian citizens and even their cancellation for students, scholars and artists, as well as the revision of the position of inter-parliamentary relations with Belarus, especially in the context of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Eastern Partnership (Euronest).
