The head of European diplomacy Federica Mogherini said a number of positive developments in the politics of Belarus and said that the EU must not miss the opportunity to build with Minsk not less than constructive relationship.
The Supreme Commissioner of the EU for foreign Affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini, speaking at the session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg said that for the first time since 2010 to talk about the transition to an equally constructive relationship between the EU and Belarus, reports Deutsche Welle.
"we need to take this opportunity to start a positive agenda with a key partner of the EU in this part of the world," She said. An important stage in the relations of the parties to the Head of European diplomacy said that the decision of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to pardon and release the active number of opposition parties, including former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich." It is important that all political prisoners are able to enjoy all civil and political rights, and no deprivation of liberty for political reasons can't happen, " said Mogherini. At the same time She said that a fundamental change was not: Belarus, for example, remains the only country in the European Union, where the death penalty remains limited freedom of speech, media and organizations. Anyway, the Head of European diplomacy noticed some positive changes. In her expressions, that "the participation of Belarus in the" Eastern partnership ", the restoration of dialogue on human rights and a positive approach Belarus in the context of the fall in Ukraine. She also analyzed and the fact that Minsk agreed to the supervision of the OSCE mission for the presidential elections to be held eleven October. It is assumed that come into the country for 400 international observers will be allowed to work without restrictions. Remember, at the end of the summer, the head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that Minsk and the EU began to understand one another. Before that Lukashenka has pardoned a number of prisoners of the opposition, which the West considered political prisoners. For example, was freed former presidential candidate for the position of head of state of Belarus Mikalai Statkevich. The head of EU diplomacy Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for neighbourhood policy Johannes Hahn said that the pardon of the opposition was a " welcome step forward ". Punishment against Belarus were introduced almost 10 years ago and in October 2014 extended to 31 October 2015, the EU tied with allegations of significant human rights violations in the country and in the observance of the rule of law and democratic principles. Penalties include an embargo on arms and equipment for the police Department, as well as asset freezes and a travel ban in the EU of persons, which the European Union considers responsible for human rights violations. In addition, frozen the assets of a number of legal entities. In early August, the EU has excluded 24 people from the list of individual sentences.

sections: Politics