Raman Yakauleuski: Brussels has nothing to discuss with Makei

A decision to send Makei to the Vilnius Summit was taken following the events in Ukraine.

Political observer Raman Yakauleuski spoke to charter97.org about the participation of the Belarusian foreign minister in the Eastern Partnership Summit.

“I think the final decision on the participation of Makei in the Vilnius Summit might have been taken under the influence of the events in Ukraine. If Ukraine had agreed to sign an association agreement, it will be in the highlight that won't perhaps happen now. But Viktor Yanukovych can reverse again. Turn attention that he says nothing about the behaviour of the prime minister and the government that made this decision,” Raman Yakauleuski noted.

The observer noted that he didn't expect any interesting remarks from Makei.

“He will possibly have bilateral meetings with his colleagues – foreign ministers of the EaP member states. I don't think he will have bilateral meetings with top officials from Brussels. I mean Catherine Ashton or Stefan Fule. Of course, being a Germanist and an adherent of Bismarck (that is how he began to represent himself lately), Makei will seek a meeting with Mrs Merkel who is expected to visit Vilnius. Angela Merkel made a clear statement about Belarus saying no talks were possible until political prisoners were released. What should she talk to Makei about? Maybe he'll just say hello to her on the sidelines in front of cameras of the Belarusian television,” Yakauleuski supposes.

The international observer added that the Belarusian foreign minister wouldn't have a special role at the summit because there was no progress in the issues that hinder the normaliation of relations.

“I'd rather turn attention to minister of economy Mikalai Snapkou, who will behave actively. There's information that he may be appointed deputy PM instead of Siamashka, whom Lukashenka promised to punish at the latest meeting, by the way, on December 10, the Human Rights Day. Human rights are so strictly observed in Belarus that everyone knows the name of this person,” Raman Yakauleuski said ironically.

We remind that foreign minister Uladzimir Makei will lead the Belarusian delegation to the summit in Vilnius. The Eastern Partnership Summit is due to be held on November 28-29. On October 15, Lithuania's deputy foreign minister Andrius Krivas handed invitations to the EaP Summit to heads of diplomatic missions of the EaP members. The invitation for Belarus didn't contain names of officials.