Annex 1: Council Conclusions of 13 October 2008
on Belarus
"1.The Council notes that, despite some improvements,
the parliamentary elections held on 28 September 2008 in Belarus
failed to meet the democratic criteria of the OSCE. The Council
calls on the Belarusian authorities to remedy the shortcomings
observed and to cooperate fully to that end with the Office for
Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
"2. The Council notes with satisfaction that
some progress has been made during the electoral campaign compared
with previous elections, in particular as regards cooperation
with the OSCE/ODIHR and broader access for the opposition to the
media. It again welcomes the release of the last internationally
recognised political prisoners before the elections. The Council
also notes that the opposition was able to demonstrate peacefully
on the evening of the elections.
"3. The European Union earnestly hopes for gradual
re-engagement with Belarus and is therefore ready to develop a
dialogue with the Belarusian authorities, as with all those participating
in the democratic debate, with the aim of encouraging genuine
progress towards strengthening democracy and respect for human
rights in that country. The Council has taken note of the troika
meeting with the Belarusian Minister for Foreign Affairs and,
in support of these developments, has decided to restore the contacts
with the Belarusian authorities which had been restricted pursuant
to the Council conclusions of 22 and 23 November 2004.
"4. In order to encourage dialogue with the
Belarusian authorities and the adoption of positive measures to
strengthen democracy and respect for human rights, the Council
— while deciding to extend, for one year from today's date,
the restrictive measures provided for by Common Position 276/2006/CFSP,
as extended by Common Position 288/2008/CFSP — has decided
that the travel restrictions imposed on certain leading figures
in Belarus, with the exception of those involved in the disappearances
which occurred in 1999 and 2000 and of he President of the Central
Electoral Commission, will not apply for a period of six months
which may be renewed. At the end of that period, the Council will
reconsider whether the Belarusian authorities have made progress
towards reforms of the Electoral Code to bring it into line with
OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic
elections and other concrete actions to respect democratic values,
the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, including
the freedom of expression and of the media, and the freedom of
assembly and political association. The Council may decide to
apply travel restrictions sooner if necessary, in the light of
the actions of the Belarusian authorities in the sphere of democracy
and human rights.
"5. With a view to strengthening links with
the administration and population, the Council supports the intensification
of technical cooperation initiated by the Commission with Belarus
in areas of mutual interest. The European Union will continue
to provide assistance for Belarusian civil society in order to
promote the development of a democratic and pluralist environment.
"6. The European Union reiterates that it remains
ready to deepen its relations with Belarus and to review the restrictive
measures taken against leading Belarusian figures in the light
of progress made by Belarus on the path towards democracy and
human rights. The Council is ready to assist Belarus in attaining
these objectives. "
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