European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) For Belarus 2006

(EU-Belarus Document, Nov. 21, 2006)

On November 21, 2006 European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner presented a document setting out what the EU could bring to Belarus, if Belarus would engage in democratisation and respect for human rights and rule of law. The document is being transmitted to the Belarus authorities both in Minsk and Brussels.

The paper makes clear that "the people of Belarus are the first victims of the isolation imposed by the country's authorities, and willl be the first to reap the benefits on offer to a democratic Belarus".

Commissioner Ferrero Waldner said: "The people of Belarus have a right to know what they are missing. Our message is that as soon as the country indicates a willingness to move towards true democracy, human rights and rule of law, we will be ready to enter into a full partnership with Belarus within the framework of the ENP.

The ENP is a special relationship between the EU and its neighbours, which supports political, economic and social reform in partner countries, and seeks to share the prosperity and stability enjoyed by EU member states with those on the EU's borders. The EU would like to build such a relationship with Belarus."

If Belarus respected human rights, democracy and rule of law, respecting its commitments as a member of the UN and of the OSCE, Belarus could become a full participant in the ENP. The EU and Belarus would work together to achieve improvements in people's lives including:

---new trade opportunities to boost the Belarusian economy and create more and better job opportunities;
---improve provision of healthcare and education and support for the most vulnerable in society;
---improved transport and energy networks, and management of environmental issues;
---reform of the legal and judicial system to ensure equal rights for all;
---greater cross-border co operation.
What can the Belarusian government do to open up these opportunities?

For these possibilities to be open to the Belarusian people, the Belarusian authorities
need to respect the right of the people of Belarus:
---to elect their leaders democratically;
---express themselves freely, and have access to independent information;
---to set-up associations,
---to fair and transparent treatment by the judicial system.

No one should be imprisoned for having expressed their opinion and no one should be denied the right to participate in the determination of their countries' future.