21 November 2006
EU makes public document outlining benefits that Minsk could get in exchange for democratization steps

The European Union has released a document outlining benefits that the 25-nation bloc is ready to offer Belarus in exchange for Minsk's steps to democratize the country, respect human rights and rule of law.

The document was made public by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU's commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, in Brussels on November 21.

The document was expected to be delivered to representatives of the Belarusian authorities both in Brussels and in Minsk on Tuesday, according to the European Commission's Delegation to Ukraine and Belarus.

"Due to the current political conditions, it has so far not been possible for the EU to offer to Belarus the full advantages of the ENP [European Neighborhood Policy], which are already enjoyed by other countries in the region including Ukraine and Moldova. The paper makes clear that "the people of Belarus are the first victims of the isolation imposed by the country's authorities, and will be the first to reap the benefits on offer to a democratic Belarus," the delegation said.

"The people of Belarus have a right to know what they are missing," Ms. Ferrero-Waldner said at Tuesday's ceremony. "Our message is that as soon as the country indicates a willingness to move towards true democracy, human rights and rule of law, we will be ready to enter into a full partnership with Belarus within the framework of the ENP. That would mean a significant increase in assistance - to bring a host of improvements to Belarusians' quality of life."

"I hope the people of Belarus will see this paper as a chance to look towards a democratic future, and that the government of Belarus will take this opportunity to begin the reforms their people need, and end their isolation," the commissioner noted.

The European Commission described the ENP as "a special relationship between the EU and its neighbors, which supports political, economic and social reform in partner countries, and seeks to share the prosperity and stability enjoyed by EU member states with those on the EU's borders."

The EU promised that Belarus would become a full participant of the ENP if Minsk respected human rights, democracy and rule of law. If that is the case, the EU and the Belarusian government "would work together to achieve improvements in people's lives." In particular, the EU offers assistance in creating new trade opportunities to boost the Belarusian economy and create more and better job opportunities, improving the quality of healthcare and education, improving transport and energy networks, and the management of environmental problems, as well as reforming the legal and judicial system.

The European Commission said that Minsk needs to "respect the right" of Belarusian to "elect their leaders democratically, express themselves freely and have access to independent information, set up associations, and enjoy fair and transparent treatment by the judicial system.

"No one should be imprisoned for having expressed their opinion and no one should be denied the right to participate fully in the determination of their countries' future," the European Commission noted. //BelaPAN