BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

27/04/2009

Lukashenko visits Italy after EU ban lifted

ROME (AP) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has met with the pope on the president's first trip to Western Europe since the EU imposed a travel ban on him in 1999.

The European Union banned Lukashenko to punish him for a crackdown on the country's opposition. The bloc suspended the ban in October as both sides tried to improve relations.

Lukashenko met with Pope Benedict XVI and later with the Vatican secretary of state.

The Vatican said the talks Monday were conducted in a positive climate. A statement said some internal problems were discussed. It did not specify human rights. Lukashenko has stifled dissent and extended his tenure through votes that the West called fraudulent.

Source:

http://www.pr-inside.com/lukashenko-visits-italy-after-eu-ban-r1211003.htm

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