28 March 2007
Slovak foreign ministry calls on Minsk to release political dissidents
The Slovak foreign ministry has called on the Belarusian authorities to release former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin and opposition activists who were jailed after a key opposition demonstration held in Minsk on March 25.
The ministry issued the statement on Monday, two days before a round of consultations between the Belarusian and Slovak foreign ministries.
It expressed disappointment with what it called pressure put on opposition activists ahead of the "peaceful" demonstration.
It stressed that such actions ran counter to Minsk's declared intention to intensify relations with the European Union. "This can block the possibility for Belarusian citizens to take part in the European Neighborhood Policy," it said.
The ministry reiterated that respect by the Belarusian authorities for human rights and fundamental freedoms was essential to the development of cooperation with the EU.
The round of consultations, to be held in Bratislava on March 28 and 29 at the deputy minister level, is to focus on political and economic ties between the two countries, cooperation within international organizations, the development of legal framework for bilateral cooperation and preparations for events to be held in Slovakia this fall to celebrate Belarusian culture. //BelaPAN
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