Milinkevich ready to help authorities in starting dialogue :: Charter'97 :: News

Leader of the”For Freedom!” movement Alyaksandr Milinkevich calls the European countries for consolidation of their efforts in seconding democracy in Belarus. He also offered his help to the Belarusian authorities in starting the dialogue.

Former presidential candidate of the Republic of Belarus was once again noticed at the European level: recently he was awarded the International Prize of Freedom. 5-7 September he also participated in the prestigious economic forum in the Polish town Krinitsa which is called the” central European Davos”. The Forum in Krinitsa also dwelt on the Belarusian issue, the “Belarusi I Rinok” newspaper runs. .

According to Milinkevich, the major problem confronting the forthcoming relations of the European Union and Belarus is that of the visa policy of the European countries. “The average Belarusian family of 4 members is hardly to pay 240 euro for permission to make one trip to Europe. Duties imposed on visas make a serious problem which must be removed. Moreover, without any preconditioning”, the politician remarked.
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The visa issue is only a part of the general problem of the growing isolation of Belarus due to its exclusion from the sphere of the European policy of good neighborhood.

“We have always stressed that Belarus must not be isolated .But Europe considers that the actions on this issue should be bi-lateral. European politicians keep on saying that the Belarusian government representatives must officially submit their proposals for the dialogue on making visas for European citizens and Belarusians cheaper to start. Fortunately, the Belarusian side made its statements on the issue recently. Now the authorities should cover the distance as soon as possible. Moreover, the way has already been well-trodden. My colleagues and me have been working on the problem for a year and something”, A. Milinkevich considers.

Belarusian opposition has its strategic propositions to the European Union countries. A.Milinkevich suggested that Poland and Germany should work out the commons strategy regarding Belarus and Ukraine. It would be also good, he considers, if France joins that “pair”.

A. Milinkevich also thinks that the present declaration of the authorities on”activization” of their relations with the European Union is nothing else but mere rhetoric. ”Until there is a predictable political situation, favourable investment climate , until there are democratic changes the good neighborhood policy is unlikely to be developed though western businessmen are interested in developing economic relations with Belarus”, he stresses.

“Belarus is facing a serious choice between democracy and authoritarism. Now the ball is on the authorities’ side .The opposition is ready to help in democratic reforms. The west stressed the same. It is the steps forward that must be made”, A. Milinkevich considers.