Andrei Sannikov: «There is not just an interest, but a great need of better relations with Europe» :: Charter'97 :: News

“My expectation is that Belarus will choose Europe as its strategic partner,” - Benita Ferrero Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations, said. Are these expectations well-grounded? And what does it require to make them real?

Head of the German-Belarusian society, political analyst Reiner Lindner is quoted as giving the following reasons for Benita Ferrero Waldner‘s optimism:

“The optimistic forecast is based on the statement made by Belarusian vice Foreign Minister Valery Varanetski at the conference on neighborhood policy held in Brussels where the Belarusian part made new open proposals on cooperation.”

The European Commissioner for External Relations gave a high esteem to the conference. She emphasized however that the relations between Brussels and Minsk can recover only after “convincing steps made by Belarus to democracy and human rights loyalty.” A.Lindner dwelled on the steps expected:

“Firstly, all Belarusian political prisoners should be exonerated. Secondly, the oncoming parliamentarian election should be free and should meet the OSCE standards. Thirdly, market reforms are necessary in the economy.”

Is Belarus ready to make any of the steps described to move towards Europe? - “Deutsche Welle” addressed Belarusian Foreign Minister special representative for European institutions relations Siargey Gaidukevich with this question. The reply was a little bit odd:

“I can certainly say that Belarus is ready. I’m just speaking right now as a “deputy” of the parliament and the chairperson of the party, as I am not the foreign minister’s special representative any more.”
Mr. Gaidukevich’s post was abolished because, as he put it, “the present day made my position unnecessary. I have fulfilled my duty and have done it with dignity.”

At the same time Siargey Gaidukevich denies the fact that improvement of the relations with Europe was pointless with his occupying the position.

“Oh no, for God’s sake don’t think this way. On the contrary, I would like to emphasize that the contacts with Europe shall speed up. And the Foreign Ministry is working on it; just give them some time…”

As for now, the positions of Brussels and Minsk are appreciably different: Brussels puts human rights and democratic principles first, while Minsk suggests cooperation on practical issues such as energy security, transit and illegal migration combat. How long will this status quo last? Former vice Foreign Minister, present international coordinator of Charter’97 Andrei Sannikov deems a collapse of the Belarusian economy can become the deadline. Up to that moment the official position of Minsk is not likely to change, Sannikov said.

“Those who are now keeping to this policy will uphold it in future - they will repeat their meaningless statements saying they are ready to make friends, but they are not going to change anything in the country. But Belarus actually makes more and more proposals to the European Union. The quality and quantity of these proposals indicate that there is not only an interest, but a great need of better economic and trade relations with Europe.”

As Sannikov remarked, the abolition of Gaidukevich’s position will not hinder from this process.

“You must agree - it was ridiculous to appoint Gaidukevich to the post of some representative for European institutions relations. But that was just a smoke screen. I believe a representative of another level will be appointed soon.”