Outgoing OSCE envoy notes progress in cooperation with Belarusian authorities :: Charter'97 :: News

"I cannot say that I am dissatisfied with the results of my work as the head of the OSCE Office in Minsk," the OSCE Office head, Eberhard Heyken, told Belapan in an exclusive interview. As was reported earlier, his term in office expires on 29 July.

"However paradoxical it may be", relations between Belarus and the OSCE have improved in the last three years, Heyken said, noting that the status of the office in Minsk "has become more stable". "Belarus cooperates with the organization in many fields within the OSCE system in a constructive way," the ambassador said.

"On the other hand, I would like to see real progress in institutional building, the rule of law, the development of civil society and more respect for human rights, freedom of the media and of association," Heyken said.

The diplomat added that the Minsk Office has been acting strictly within the limits of its mandate. Heyken also stressed that the organization treats Belarus "like any other member state".

The head of the Minsk Office said that according to polls, the OSCE`s rating among the population of Belarus is low. "The organization we represent seems to be known to Belarusians, but with negative connotation," Heyken said. The diplomat suggested that the Belarusian media, especially state television, "should report on OSCE projects and do it in an unbiased way". The ambassador also noted "businesslike relations" with the Belarusian government, saying that certain ministries and agencies have been involved in OSCE projects. "There is cooperation and it is good," the head of the OSCE Office in Minsk stressed.