BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

05/11/2005

EU FMs to discuss further restrictive measures against Belarus

Brussels, Nov 5, IRNA

EU-Belarus

The European Union Foreign Ministers' Council meeting in Brussels Monday is expected to voice a lot of concern over the deteriorating situation of human rights and political freedoms in Belarus.

"Belarus is isolating itself from the international community," said EU diplomatic sources in Brussels.

The Council will discuss the EU's policy on Belarus in the run-up to the presidential elections scheduled there for next year.

"We want to see elections which are fair and free," said the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Council is expected to issue a statement to confirm the EU's determination to intensify support for democracy and human rights in Belarus, including through support for civil society and people-to people contacts.

The Council will underlined the EU's readiness to take further restrictive measures against responsible individuals in the event of failure to uphold international standards.

In 2004, the EU imposed a visa ban on some government officials in Belarus.

Belarus has become the mainstream issue for EU foreign policy, noted the sources.

Source:

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-239/0511059426115952.htm