DATE:
05/05/2009
Lukashenko had been accused by the West of incarcerating opposition activists, shutting down independent media and rigging elections.
Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko will not attend a European Union summit with the bloc's eastern neighbours this week, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
Lukashenko, long accused of violating human rights, has been coming out of Western isolation and visited Italy last week, his first trip to western Europe in 14 years.
EU presidency sources told Reuters last week that Lukashenko's presence at the summit, aimed at bolstering ties with ex-Soviet states, would irritate some EU members and that a lower representation would be more productive.
First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko will attend instead, the foreign ministry said.
The May 7 meeting is aimed at improving cooperation on governance, energy security and economic integration with Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus.
Lukashenko had been accused by the West of incarcerating opposition activists, shutting down independent media and rigging elections. Since a 2007 row with traditional ally Russia, however, he has taken steps towards the West.
The EU suspended a travel ban last year after authorities released the last of what it considered political prisoners and allowed independent newspapers to be published and sold in Belarus.
In an interview with Reuters, published on Tuesday, Lukashenko said he could give suitably qualified opposition figures government jobs and make other political reforms demanded by Europe if this did not hurt the economy.
Source:
http://www.javno.com/en-world/belaruss-lukashenko-to-stay-away-from-eu-summit_255768
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