MEPs finished discussion on Belarus

The members of the European Parliament have made a common conclusion on the results of the discussuion which took place today in the framework of the EP Committee for Foreign Affairs' session in Brussels.  The document condemns repressions against the peaceful demonstrators on December 19 in Minsk, as well as arrests and detentions in Belarus. MEPs call on the European Union to reconsider relations with Belarus. 

In particular, it has been suggested to prolong visa sanctions against the Belarusian officials until political prisoners are released. At the same time, prices for visas for ordinary citizens of Belarus will be decreased. 

Apart from that, it has been suggested to reconsider parliamentary relations with Belarus in the framework of the PA "Eastern Partnership" (Euronest). 

The President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek has underlined during the discussion: The EU should speak as one voice and demand release of the Belarusian political prisoners.  "We should remember Eva Nyaklyaeva's words that we have the keys of her father's prison", — he said.

The President of the European Parliament has noted the call for conducting a new election as a suggestion which is worth attention.

Buzek, in his turn, suggested to expel Belarus from the international sports events, like the Olympics and the World Cup. 

He has also suggested to send a mission to Belarus to investigate the events connected with the presidential election, and to discuss the Belarusian situation at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on January 24-28. 

EU's political decision on sanctions against the Belarusian authorities should be taken on January 31 at the session of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU countries, reports BelaPAN.