BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

21/12/2006

Belarus calls EU move short-sighted

MINSK, December 21 (Itar-Tass) - Minsk considers as short-sight the stance of the European Union that has started stripping Belarus of preferences in trade with EU countries, the Belarussian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued on Thursday.

"The approval by the European Union Council of the decision to cease for Belarus effect of the tariff rates within the framework of the general system of EU preferences, which can come in force in six months, testifies to a political short-sight of its initiators and supporters," it said.

The Foreign Ministry said that the "European Union's decision runs counter to its declared objective to render support to the Belarussian population".

"The decision has clearly shown that the interests of ordinary Belarus citizens mean nothing for the EU".

The Foreign Ministry said that the "decision of the European Union will not become a serious challenge for the economy and citizens of Belarus".

"Pressure from outside on the Belarussian people and its state will not yield a result. It is time for the European Union to leave the inertia of thinking and to soberly assess the situation in Belarus, acknowledge successes in its socio-economic development and a large contribution that our county makes to the consolidation of security and stability of Europe. We hope that common sense will prevail in the European Union," the Foreign Ministry said.

Source:

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11106484&PageNum=0