Belarus Has Potential :: Charter'97 :: News

“Belarus has perspectives, Belarus is a European country,” told EU High Representative on Common Foreign and Security Policy Xavier Solana, answering to the question of the “Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta” about the EU entering perspectives for Belarus. However, according to Xavier Solana, “we should be united not only by geography, but by common values”. “We are not thrusting our opinion on somebody, everything depends on how the Belarusian society is ready for that itself. But we should be realists and understand that at least the closest perspective and aim is normal and civilized cooperation of Belarus and the EU,” told the EU High Representative on Common Foreign and Security Policy.

- Mister Solana, after the EU enlargement Belarus is at the border with the EU. What would change or have changed already in foreign policy of the EU regarding Belarus?

- Really, relations between the EU and Belarus are developing not completely as they should be, and many things are left unclear for us. Actually for today there are no relations, and the fact that we are bordering with the state, where democratic values are questioned, where human rights are violated, certainly cannot satisfy us. Undoubtedly, the EU is interested in Belarusian isolation to be finished, and in its fruitful cooperation with the EU countries. But not everything depends only on us in this situation. First of all, you should realize that nobody could determine the future of your country except Belarusians themselves; nobody could solve the problems of your society. And we think that imminent parliamentary elections give a chance to change the situation in the country.

- To your mind, could Russia help us in any way, as the influence of this country on Belarus is rather significant?

- The summit Russia-EU has just finished, and it made a positive impression on us. To our mind, it was successful; we have found understanding on many issues. It seems to me that Russia as a country, which is aiming to develop democracy, certainly, should not be indifferent to the processes that are going on in Belarus. We have no doubts that Russia can have significant influence on situation in Belarus… I think that Russia, as well as the EU, is interested in changing the situation in Belarus.

- You had a conversation with Belarusian politicians. What was interesting, have you heard something new for you?

- It was an interesting meeting; I have received some additional information. I had an impression that people in front of me are capable of working, they know what is necessary to do, and, probably, their joint work would lead to some changes in Belarusian society. But I would like to underline that only by attracting people with some program, joining all forces, it is possible to win elections and make changes. It is not our fault that there is no understanding between the EU and official Minsk. In the situation when we cannot find understanding with the leadership of the country we would communicate with those who support democratic values.

- To your mind, is there a prospect of Belarus joining the EU sometime?

- It is not my mission to answer this question. The Belarusians are to decide themselves where they should be. I think that Belarus has prospects, Belarus is a European country, but we should be united not only by geography, but by common values. We are not thrusting our opinion on somebody; everything depends on how the Belarusian society is ready for that itself. But we should be realists and understand that at least the closest perspective and aim is normal and civilized cooperation of Belarus and the EU.