Benita Ferrero-Waldner: “EU has expressed demands which Belarus must fulfill”

Are Belarus’ prospects to be included into the European Neighbourhood Policy are realistic? As said by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, to achieve that would be not easy for Belarus, though cooperation with the EU could be extremely attractive for the country.

In an interview to Deutsche Welle Benita Ferrero-Waldner stated that it was important for the EU to offer Belarus cooperation in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Moreover, the European Commissioner has underlined that the document adopted by the EU a year ago which contained proposals for cooperation was met by Belarusian regime with great enthusiasm. On its part, the EU expressed requirements Belarus should fulfill. Among these requirements are release of all political prisoners, and start of a real open dialogue on democratic reforms.

She noted that from time to time Belarusian authorities meet the EU requests. For instance, an office of the European Commission is to be opened in Minsk soon.

As we have informed, Belarus has been left outside the borders of Schengen zone, though it had all chances to become a participant of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The country was to follow 12 requirements of the EU for that: to release political prisoners, grant freedom of speech and hold free election. The regime has ignored the EU proposals. As a result, today Belarusians are to pay 60 Euro for a Schengen visa. By the way, our neighbours, Russian and Ukrainian citizens pay 35 Euro for entering the European states.