Anatoly Lebedko meets with top-ranking Latvian officials in Riga :: Charter'97 :: News

Latvia plans to more actively assist in the democratization of Belarus, Anatoly Lebedko, leader of the United Civic Party (UCP), said in an interview with BelaPAN on Monday following his visit to Riga.

Mr. Lebedko stayed in the Latvian capital on April 23 and 24 to attend a convention of the People`s Party. According to the UCP leader, he also had meetings with Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks, Culture Minister Helena Demakova, and Atis Slakteris, chairman of the People`s Party.

Apart from the European Union`s stance on Belarus, under discussion during the meetings was the current situation in the country, the prospects of the Belarusian-Latvian relationship and inter-party cooperation, Mr. Lebedko said.

"We noted increased activity in resolving the `Belarus problem` on the part of Poland and Lithuania, but Latvia stood somewhat aside from this problem until recently," he said. "All these countries are our neighbors and, in addition, are members of the European Union, in which each member state has one vote. It is very important for us to create an efficient and strong pro-Belarusian lobby in the EU. And the voice of Latvia is very important in this regard."

Mr. Lebedko described his Riga talks as successful. "We reached understanding on all issues," he said.

He stressed that he had talked with the Latvian officials as not just the UCP leader but also as a representative of all pro-democratic forces in Belarus.