BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

04/02/2009

European Commission satisfied with Belarus' steps in media freedom issues

Minsk - Progress has been made in ensuring media freedoms in Belarus, Janis Aizsalnieks, deputy head of the European Commission delegation to the republic, told a roundtable in Minsk on Wednesday.

"Having seen progress in five areas in Belarus, including the media, the European commission decided to reappraise Belarus' steps on April 13," Aizsalnieks said.

An assessment of measures taken in Belarus plays a considerable role in the European Commission's decision to suspend restrictions imposed on the republic, he said.

Among other steps, the European Commission welcomes "specific moves taken in the press sector and the circulation of the Nasha Niva and Narodnaya Volya newspapers," the delegation deputy chief said. "These newspapers are on sale and available via subscription," he added.

Commenting on the functioning of Internet newspapers following the adoption of a new media law, Aizsalnieks said he hopes that "the application of national laws will not restrict their activities."

It is also important to promote dialogue on the media industry in the republic between Belarusian and EU experts, he said.

Source:

http://www.kyivpost.com/world/34848

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