European Parliament to discuss Belarus report

The debate was postponed as MEP Justas Paleckis who authored the report could not attend the meeting on Wednesday.

Mr Paleckis prepared the document for the European Commission, the Council of the EU and European Commission for External Relations and Foreign Affairs after his visit to Minsk. He met both with Belarus officials and civil society representatives in March.

The report caused a mixed response in Belarus. The MEP claimed that "there were some improvements in the human rights situation in Belarus." Mr Paleckis said later that the document could be amended after discussion. The European Parliament's committee on relations with Belarus will consider the report in the second reading in August.

The report will be discussed at a plenary session of the European Parliament in September.