BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
04/02/2008
EU seeks better relations with Belarus - French ambassador
MINSK. Feb 4 (Interfax) - European Union intends to develop good- neighborly relations with Belarus this year, French ambassador to Minsk Ms. Mireille Musso said on Monday.
"We hope that by a common effort we shall move toward implementing the policy of good-neighborly relations with Belarus," Musso said.
"The European Union is ready to extend assistance to Belarus in democratization and development of its independence. Belarus needs both a domestic and an external dialog," she said.
"We know that Mr. Lukashenko and the authorities want to develop the independence of Belarus and want closer relations with the European Union," she said.
She said she hoped that "the year 2008 will be hope-inspiring for development of democracy in Belarus."
"It is important for Belarus and for all European countries," she said. She said she hoped that "the upcoming Belarusian parliamentary elections will be free and will be held in accordance with democratic principles."
"There is no doubt, that a common European policy in relation to Belarus has been waged," she said. "No matter which EU member nation, we are working for the same target. The essence of this policy is to ensure to democratic forces an option to express their opinion," she said.
Source:
http://www.interfax.com/3/361205/news.aspx
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