US official to arrive in Minsk for talks with government, opposition

David Merkel, a high-ranking US State Department official, is today expected to head to Minsk to hold talks with the representatives of the Belarusian authorities and the opposition. The visit will take place after Minsk has freed the remaining political prisoners.

The US State Department said in a statement that the release of political prisoners in combination with further positive steps opens a real opportunity for a significant improvement of relations between the US and Belarus.

Radio Svaboda