Deputy Chairman of European Parliament: Today Belarus could get a great deal :: Charter'97 :: News

Belarusian authorities must give a clear message of their readiness to take a step towards Europe and accept 12 proposals made by the European Union. Today Belarus could get a great deal in case of its full-value cooperation with the European Union. That was declared by Deputy Chairman of European Parliament, former defense minister of Poland and one of the founders of the “Solidarity” movement Janusz Onyszkiewicz in his exclusive interview to the Charter’97 press center.

-Mr. Onyszkiewicz, last year the European Union submitted 12 conditions for Belarus democratization for our country to receive a serious support .Has Belarus progressed in implementation of those conditions?

-No, Belarus has not advanced on the way of its democratization. On the contrary, to my mind as well as to my colleagues from the European Parliament, the situation in the country has become tenser and more complicated. Certainly, Belarus must make advancements on the way to democracy. In other case the improvement of relations with Europe is hardly probable.

- Now the Belarusian authorities are actively attempting to maintain the dialogue with the European Union. They call the European structures for putting the human rights issue at the head of the list. What are the perspectives in store for the authorities if they continue pursuing the same policy?

- I think that resumption of talks between the European Union and Belarus is possible but the Belarusian authorities must give a clear and powerful message of their readiness to cooperate with Europe at least on one of the suggested issues thus proving that 12 proposals of the European Union are under their consideration. Release of the political prisoners could become their first step. And that step is not at all hard for the Belarusian authorities to make. Then repressions against opposition, non-governmental organizations, and independent mass media are to be curbed. The government has to maintain trustworthy relations with the civil society. Then the European Union will believe in seriousness of the Belarusian attitude towards its proposals. Implementation of those proposals is first of all for the benefit of the Belarusian rank-and-file people and not of the European structures.

- What is Belarus losing today due to its non-participation in various Belarusian initiatives, for example, in the European Commission’s program on good neighborhood?

-Today Belarus could get a great deal .The European Union has got a much expanded program of cooperation with neighboring countries. It is billions euro worth. I am not aware how much Belarus may precisely get but, certainly, that will be a great help for development of the Belarusian economy, its infrastructure and culture. This help will considerably influence all vectors of the public life in Belarus.

- In spring the Belarusian opposition extended its hand to the authorities and suggested them the dialogue. In late eighties in Poland Jaruzelski took the step of the dialogue with the Solidarity. What are the chances of the situation to be repeated in Belarus?

-Yes, I am sure that the Belarusian opposition is open to the dialogue with the authorities. In Poland Jaruzelski finally came to the conclusion that the dialogue was absolutely important for Poland’s advancement, for solving the problems facing our country. I hope, the Belarusian authorities will finally arrive at the same conclusion.

- 14 October in Minsk the European March is to be held. Its objective is to demonstrate the European choice of Belarusians and to call the power for accepting 12 proposals of the European Union. What is your attitude towards this initiative?

-I consider the initiative to be very reasonable and it is certainly to be supported by all those who wish all the best to Belarusians. I am sure that the European policymakers’ participation in the march will demonstrate their good will. Certainly I foresee the Belarusian future to be European. If the neighbors of Belarus –Lithuanians, Poles, Ukrainians and Latvians are aimed at living in the European Union why should Belarus take another way? We all are interested at facilitating the chances of Belarus for joining the European Union. Of course it must be the decision of Belarusians themselves. Hopefully, they will come to this decision soon.

-You have been to our country many times. What would you like to tell Belarusians?

-Hold on! The way to democracy is hard and very complicated but we know very well in Poland that it is necessary to continue believing in the democracy to triumph. That is to happen in Belarus as well.