From: "eu2002.dk" Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 13:23:52 Policy area: General Affairs and External Relations News item: Speeches Danish Presidency of the European Union PERMANENT COUNCIL No. 415, 17 October 2002 EU Statement on Belarus The EU has consistently supported the Portuguese Chair in its efforts to solve the impasse regarding the AMG in Minsk. The EU believes that the Chair has already shown great flexibility in trying to find a solution to the problems that have arisen as a result of Belarus’ treatment of the AMG. This flexibility should be reciprocated by Belarus. Like the Chair, the EU cannot accept the Belarusian position that the AMG should be formally closed before negotiations on a new OSCE presence can begin. It supports the Chair’s view that the AMG’s 1997-mandate remains in force, in full, until there is consensus in the PC to amend or replace it. The EU urges the Belarusian authorities to enter into immediate, meaningful and result-oriented negotiations, as Foreign Minister Khvostov agreed at his meeting with the Chairman in Office in New York in September. Pending negotiations, the EU urges Belarus to agree to extend the accreditation of Alina Josan, which expires on 29 October, or allowing a replacement to take up the post immediately so as to ensure continuity of the mission in Minsk. If Belarus fails to show the necessary flexibility and goodwill in the very near future, this will heavily influence not only relations with the OSCE, but also the development of relations between Belarus and the EU. We shall continue to work closely with the Chair to ensure that the OSCE can contribute to the development of genuine democracy and full respect for human rights in Belarus, including through an active OSCE presence. The EU looks forward to the Chair reporting back to the Permanent Council on the progress in the negotiations before 29 October. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey align themselves with this statement. You can change your eu2002.dk subscription or unsubscribe here: www.eu2002.dk/subscriptions/subscriptionLoginForm.asp?MenuElementID=3029