According to Anatol Liabedzka, chairman of the United Civic Party of Belarus (UCPB), only the release of the political prisoners in Belarus can justify the European Union’s decision to lift its entry ban from Belarusian Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makey.
The politician considers the decision to be an open secret: ‘This was a predictable decision that had been discussed in political circles for about a month. It was obvious that the EU had the political will to take this step’.
The UCPB viewed the removal of the visa ban against Mr Makey as a mistake, the chairman told news agency BelaPAN. Brussels has introduced an exception to the rules that were used to draw up its blacklist of citizens of Belarus, he explained.
‘We may now expect the Belarusian government to respond by releasing one of the political prisoners soon,’ Mr. Liabedzka said. ‘Only the release of the prisoners of conscience can somehow justify the EU’s decision’.
Belsat, following BelaPAN
