Volfgang Berendt criticizes Berlin for insufficient attention to Belarusan question :: Charter'97 :: News

In conversation with Strasburg correspondent «Frankfurter Rundschau» famous German politician made quite sharp statements about foreign policy of German government. Volfgang Berendt criticizes Berlin for underestimation of Council of Europe and lack of attention to Belarusan situation.

This interview to correspondent of «Frankfurter Rundschau» -- is one of the latest interview of Berendt as Deputy of Bundestag. Famous social-democrat, who ran to German Parlament many times from Shpandau district of Berlin didn’t participate the last elections.
Powers of Volfgang Berendt as deputy, chief of delegation of German MP’s in Strasburg, reporter of PACE on Belarus will be finished at the end of January. While summing up results of activity of German delegation (18 deputys represent Germany in Strasburg), Volfgang Berendt didn’t avoid critics of official Berlin.
German policy, as he says, is concentrated of European Union now. But policy of EU in the East of the continent doesn’t interest German government. Struggle for democracy and Human rights in such dangerous regions like Chechnya, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia doesn’t attract attention of German politicians.
Concentration of Berlin on European Union is short-sightedly, -- thinks Volfgang Berendt. According to decision of Copenhagen summit many East-European countries will remain closed for rest of Europe. That is why it is inexcusably to underestimate role of Council of Europe. CE in conformity with its mandates must promote establishment of democracy and legal standards in this region. Berendt said that Belarusan situation deserves special attention of German politicians. The situation with Human rights in Belarus is very difficult. Repressions against opposition, independent media and Human right organizations became harder, -- sais Volfgang Berendt on pages of «Frankfurter Rundschau».