Pavel Seviarynets: Europe for Lukashenka is only a tool to blackmail Russia

The Belarusian ruler will not make steps to normalise relations with the European Union.

Political  prisoner Pavel Seviarynets spoke to charter97.org about a discussion of relations with Belarus by the EU foreign ministers.

“In my opinion, the regime of Lukashneka will not make steps to normalise relations with the European Union. Some political prisoners will probably be released. If the economic situation is really difficult, all of them will be released. We may say that the  people of Belarus go to Europe despite the will of the current regime. Some people travel abroad, some set European industry standards, some accept European values, but the authorities still resist it. For them Europe is only a tool to blackmail Russia. They use Europe only when they need another portion of subsidies [from Russia]. Lukashenka does not have intention to integrate in the European community,” the political prisoner thinks.

He added some officials would like it [European integration], but the Belarusian ruler and Moscow will not allow it.

“As for Belarus's representation at the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November, it would be the gateway to the West for Belarus. A representative of the democratic circles must definitely be at such forums. But the regime of Lukashenka will delegate its observer to Vilnius too. Perhaps it will be Makei. Perhaps someone from the political prisoners will be released to let Makei go. I don't rule out the possibility that the release of three political prisoners, whose term is about to expire, may be interpreted as a concession for participating in the EaP summit. Dashkevich's term expires in August, Frantskevich's term – in September, my term – in October. I am sure that Makei will return from the summit with a bunch of threats for Moscow, like 'We'll become friends with the West if you don't give us a loan,'” Pavel Seviarynets said.

It should be reminded that foreign ministers of the EU member states discussed relations with Belarus at yesterday's meeting.

The EU foreign ministers welcomed the decision to reopen the Swedish embassy in Minsk and expressed a hope for other signs of normalisation of relations with the EU in the run-up to the Eastern Partnership forum in Vilnius.