Belarus foreign minister to begin talks with EU in Brussels today

Belarusian Foreign Minister Siarhei Martynau today is to begin a three-day visit to Brussels to discuss the prospects of a dialogue berween Minsk and the European Union. During the visit, Martynau is scheduled to meet with the Troika of the European Union at the level of foreign ministers. In spring, the European Union is expected to make a decision over the participation of Belarus in the Eastern Neighborhood program, which envisages the allocation of financial assistance to the neighboring countries. Brussels also has to decide over the abolition of visa and financial sanctions against top-ranking Belarus officials. The sanctions were partially suspended for six month in the fall of 2008. Alexander Lukashenka could also be invited to the next EU summit in Prague this spring.

The West wants Minsk to carry out political reforms, to expand the rights of independent media, to improve the climate for the operation of political parties, to liberaize the electoral laws. The issue of electoral laws is especially important ahead of the presidential elections in 2011. The OSCE only partially recognized the 2008 parliamentary elections as meeting the international standards.