Jerzy Buzek: I believe that situation in Belarus will change

A former head of the European Parliament said it at a conference in Warsaw to discuss the main issues of the EU policy.

The problems and prospects for the Eastern Partnership programme were discussed among other topics. The Ukrainian issue was given much attention. Participants of the conference agree than Ukraine could get closer to the EU in at least 10 years. The Belarusian issue wasn't discussed. Jerzy Buzek expressed his position in a comment to Radio Racyja.

“I had different plans when I headed the European Parliament for 2.5 years. I can say that most of them were fulfilled. I mean the EU single energy market, cooperation with the EU's neighbours and the EU's proper budget. The only important for me thing that didn't come true is that the situation in Belarus hasn't moved in the direction of democracy, a free market and principles of the civilized world. It wasn't achieved. But I believe it will happen,” Buzek noted.

Elzbieta Kaca, an analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, says the relations between the EU and Belarus came to a deadlock.

“Sanctions were imposed on Belarus. We have no contacts on the governmental level. So, the EU support Belarusian NGOs. The EU offered Lukashenka to soften visa rules for citizens of Belarus, but there has been no response from official Minsk. The situation doesn't look optimistic from this point of view.”

The conference was held on the occasion of the forthcoming European Parliament Election.

Photo: wp.pl