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Lithuanian MFA: Issue of political prisoners discussed with Makei

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Lithuanian MFA: Issue of political prisoners discussed with Makei

The issues of the release of Belarusian political prisoners was discussed in Brussels on July 22.

BelaPAN news agency learnt it from the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, the country holding the EU presidency since July 1.

“Yes, this question was raised. The release of political prisoners and their full rehabilitation were named among the main conditions. The foreign ministers expressed a desire to see a more constructive attitude from Belarus,” the press service informed.

Asked about Uladzimir Makei's reaction to the question, the press service said: “The Lithuanian delegation found Belarus's reaction to be more constructive than it was before. Some of the questions remained unanswered and some topics were hushed up, but the Lithuanian delegation found more constructiveness and willingness to build relations with the EU.”

Asked after the meeting by an RFE/RL correspondent in Brussels if lifting the EU sanctions on official Minsk in exchange for the release of political prisoners was discussed, Makei said: “We discussed all items on the agenda relating to our cooperation with the EU.”

On July 23, Makei said to a limited number of journalists from the Belarusian state-owned media that Belarus proposed Brussels to lift sanctions. “We think the attitude towards all Eastern Partnership member states must be based on an equal non-discriminatory approach. We stated clearly that the EU sanctions against Belarus must be lifted, because they harm our relations and benefit neither Belarus nor the European Union,” Makei said.

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