The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received with satisfaction news of the release on 16th August 2008 of Alaksandar Kazulin, a presidential candidate in the Republic of Belarus presidential elections in 2006. In our view, this is a positive step, which testifies to the readiness of the Belarusian authorities to start the gradual process of democratising the country.

        Further actions by Belarus towards respecting human rights and ensuring freedom of speech, as well as holding parliamentary elections in accordance with international standards will create the conditions to strengthen cooperation between  the European Union and Belarus as well as favour the development of mutual relations.

 

Piotr Paszkowski
MFA Press Spokesman