The European Union is open to the development of relations with Belarus based on common values, the EU Delegation to Belarus said in a statement summing up outcomes of a visit the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the Council of the EU paid to Belarus on November 21.
“Relations should be based on common values, especially respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law as well as with regard to the issue of the death penalty,” the statement says.
“Tangible steps taken by Belarus to respect universal fundamental freedoms, rule of law and human rights will remain key for the shaping of the EU’s future policy towards Belarus,” it said.
During its visit to Belarus on Nov. 21, the delegation of the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the European Union led by its Chairman Walter Stevens met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei, and Deputy Foreign Minister Alena Kupchyna and exchanged opinions with representatives of Belarusian political opposition, human rights defenders and members of civil society, it said.
During the meetings, its participants discussed a broad range of issues, particularly “bilateral cooperation between the EU and Belarus, multilateral cooperation in the Eastern Partnership framework, regional developments, the need for economic modernization as well as human rights and democracy issues, including the death penalty.”
During the meetings, “the EU delegation emphasized the European Union’s readiness to maintain an open, yet critical, dialogue with Belarus,” the statement says.
