Leszek Szerepka: No moves until political prisoners are released

The Ambassador of Poland reminds about the obstacles that influence the relations between Belarus and the European Union.

Leszek Szerepka and head of the embassy's consular department Slawomir Zubricki answered questions during a call-in show organised by Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belarusi newspaper.

“We are doing our best to improve the relations. Poland is a member of the EU. The conditions are not our own, national. These are conditions of the EU. It was clearly set that the country should not have any serious human rights violations. It is the biggest obstacle to cooperation.

We support the dialogue, meet, talk, try to find opportunities for developing the relations and offer Belarus our assistance in the country's modernisation. There is the biggest barrier that hinders development of the relations. I think no serious moves are possible until the people, whom we consider to be political prisoners, are released. Everyone knows names of these people. Any serious breakthroughs in the EU-Belarus relations cannot be expected without this step,” Leszek Szerepka said.

Readers of the newspaper asked about other aspects of the relations with Poland, in particular problems in obtaining visas due to frauds and small border traffic.

“You should understand that our power doesn't go beyond the doors of the consulate. Everything outside the consulate lies beyond our scope, but within the competence of the Belarusian authorities. I think we proposed good conditions. A computer system increased the number of people who obtain visas. It is statistical data. But we are unable to affect game rules outside the consulate,” the ambassador said.

As for the possibility of visa-free travel for residents of near-border districts, Leszek Szerepka says it must be a joint decision of the EU member states.

“As far as I know, it may take a long time to adopt such a decision.  The closest issue is small border traffic that would make trips to Poland easier for you. But the ball is in Belarus's court, because we already completed all legal procedures two years ago. We are waiting to a reaction of the Belarusian side,” he said.