Ferrero-Waldner: Belarus goes in the right direction

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, will pay an official visit to Belarus on June 22. She is scheduled to meet with Alexander Lukashenka, Belarus' foreign minister Siarhei Martynau and several representatives of the oppoisition and the civil society. The talks will focus on the situation in Belarus and the prospects of EU-Belarus relations, if this country takes further steps to ensure democratic freedoms and human rights, inlcuding the respect to the independent media. The Eastern Partnership program is also on agenda.

Ferrero-Waldner is also expected to announce the allocation of 10 million euros for the improvement of foodstuff quality and security in Belarus.

Ahead of the visit, she gave positive comments over Belarus' participation in the Eastern Partnership program.

The EU official expressed hope that Minsk would make further steps to promote democratic freedoms and human rights, including the freedom of the independent media.