Carl Bildt: Our demands to Belarus didn't change

The EU wants official Minsk to release political prisoners and make steps towards democratisation.

Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt said it to BelaPAN news agency at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius on November 29.

“Our demands – the release of political prisoners and steps toward democratisation – haven't changed,” he said.

The question of Belarusian political prisoners “was raised by several leaders in their speeches” at the summit, according to Carl Bildt. Belarusian foreign minister Uladzimir Makei didn't mention the topic, the Swedish diplomat says.

Makei knew what should be done and had tools to influence the settlement of the issues, the Swedish foreign minister said.

Today is the second day of the EaP Summit in Vilnius. Ukraine refused to sign an association agreement with the EU and a free trade agreement ahead of the summit that became the main topic of the event. The agreements won't be signed at the summit, according to today's reports.

The summit gathered representatives of 34 countries – heads of state and government, ministers as well as the EU leaders. The Belarusian authorities are represented by foreign minister Uladzimir Makei.