European Union ready for decreasing visa costs for Belarusians :: Charter'97 :: News

Shengen visa cost for Belarus will be decreased after Belarus responds to the European Commission suggestions. That was reported to the Interfax at the representative office of the European Union in Belarus.

Belarus has advised the European Union to disaffirm the restrictions imposed on the relationships with the country. “We are for disaffirming the artificial tariff barriers, for simplification of the visa regime between the European Union and Belarus. We prove our standpoint with our deeds : Belarus unilaterally has already made several steps on liberalization of the visa procedure for the European Union citizens”, deputy foreign minister of the Republic of Belarus Valeri Varanetsky declared while delivering his speech at the conference on consolidation of the European policy of neighborhood in Brussels.

According to him, Belarus together with the EU could have more effectively counteracted the organized criminality and terrorism. Military and political security and balance have again become the” acute and vital strategic subject for the whole Europe”, the foreign ministry representative said. With that in view he remarked that” Belarus being located in the most sensitive area of Europe, it is also interested in its relationship with all the key partners for facilitation of the global stability”.

It is to be mentioned that the European Union is ready for considerable increase of its assistance to Belarus upon implementation of a number of conditions by the Belarusian officials. The European Union suggests simplification of the entrance procedure for Belarusian citizens to the European Union, rendering assistance to the Belarusian economy and support to the small and medium-sized businesses and re-equipment of the Belarusian enterprises for their functioning at the European market.

The European Union also offers its assistance in reforming the legal and court system, modernization of transport and power supply systems. Furthermore, the European Union intends to suggest the stipend raise at the European universities for Belarusian students. Apart from that the EU suggests increasing its financial support.

In return the European Union demands from Belarus to release the political prisoners , to probe the cases of policymakers kidnapping , free and just elections, non-interference with courts’ activities , free information access for Belarusians , non-interference with the private business, respect of non-governmental organizations‘ and independent trade-unions’ rights, observation of the national minorities’ rights.