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European Union should be more active and assertive in democratization of Belarus, Milinkevich says

The European Union should be more active and assertive in the democratization of Belarus, and move swiftly to be more efficient, Alyaksandr Milinkevich, leader of the Movement for Freedom, said in a letter to the European Union (EU)'s leaders, MEPs and all the EU citizens.

According to the politician's press office, his open letter was published in the Belgian magazine European Agenda. "We want the European Union to better understand what is going on in Belarus, what direction it has taken in its development, and how Europe could influence the processes that are taking place in our society and economy," Mr. Milinkevich said in his letter. "We hope it has become increasingly obvious to our European neighbors that Belarus is not the same as Lukashenka, and that our country has pro-democratic forces advocating free elections and independence."

Mr. Milinkevich stressed that the EU's visa procedure for Belarusians should be eased and simplified. He suggested that visa fees for Belarusian citizens should be lowered or completely canceled but certainly not raised.

The politician noted that the EU should make its decisions based on not the Belarusian authorities' promises but their specific steps.

Mr. Milinkevich added that some European politicians warn that constant and uncompromising pressure on the Belarusian authorities might push the country "into Russia's embrace." "To minimize this risk, the EU's policies in support of democracy in Belarus should send a clear signal that the European Union does not recognize any steps and decisions that could jeopardize Belarus' independence," Mr. Milinkevich said. "We expect the EU to state this loud and clear and reiterate it in no uncertain terms during formal and informal meetings with representatives of Russia's authorities," he concluded.