OSCE Chairman-in-Office discusses implementation of OSCE standards and commitments with Belarusian leadership
(OSCE/Heidi Smith)OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Solomon Passy (left), and Belarus Foreign Minister, Sergei Martynov, speak to the press in Minsk, 9 June 2004. It was the first visit of a Chairman-in-Office to Belarus in six years. (OSCE/Heidi Smith) Photo details
MINSK, 9 June 2004 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, said on Wednesday he was satisfied with his visit to Belarus, which provided him with the opportunity to get acquainted on the spot with the situation in the country and to conduct talks, which will undoubtedly contribute to the normalisation of the OSCE-Belarus dialogue.
It was the first visit of a Chairman-in-Office to Belarus in six years.
Ending a two-day visit to Minsk, during which he was received by President Alexander Lukashenko and met Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Vadim Popov, and representatives of NGOs, political parties and of the opposition.
Minister Passy expressed the hope that forthcoming parliamentary elections in Belarus would be free and fair and be conducted in line with OSCE standards and commitments.
He also reiterated his full support for the work of the OSCE Office in Minsk, which is headed by Ambassador Eberhard Heyken.
"We sincerely believe that the visit will stimulate the constructive and open dialogue with Belarus and is a sign of hope for the future. Measurable progress towards democracy and respect for human rights will provide the necessary preconditions for enhanced relations with the international community" the Chairman-in-Office said.
Minister Passy noted that the enlargement of the EU in 2004 had made Belarus a direct neighbour of the EU. Historically and culturally Belarus belongs to Europe and we would like to see it rejoining the rest of the continent in good and close cooperation and shared values.
Recognising some positive development the Chairman-in-Office encouraged the Belarusian authorities to impose a moratorium on death penalty as the next step towards abolition of capital punishment.
The Chairman-in-Office said there was strong international interest in the forthcoming elections in Belarus. "I hope the Belarusian authorities will interpret and implement the Electoral Code in a way that allows for genuinely democratic elections," he said.
He noted that it is important that the invitation to the OSCE s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to observe the elections be issued in good time.
The Chairman-in-Office expressed concern about reports that some opposition leaders were facing harassment and about the closure by the authorities of some NGOs. "I attach great importance to unhindered and legitimate activities by NGOs in key OSCE areas such as democratic elections, institution-building and freedom of the media."
Minister Passy said he had asked the OSCE Office in Minsk to continue reporting on developments concerning freedom of the media in Belarus. "Freedom of the media is key to the development of a society based on the rule of law and independent media are vital for the health of a democratic society," he said.
Cases of disappearances of a number of people were causing concern in the international community and should be thoroughly investigated, the Chairman-in-Office said. "Only through such an investigation can responsibility be assigned, justice done and this matter be closed," he added.
Minister Passy welcomed greater co-operation between the OSCE and Belarus in the politico-military dimension and said the recent successful OSCE Assessment Mission on Small Arms and Light Weapons should provide a good basis for follow-up activities in this field. The Chairman-in-Office discussed a possible international assistance for the destruction of stockpiles and landmines.
Minister Passy paid serious attention to difficulties related to overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy in Belarus. The OSCE/OOM will continue to offer support through project implementation in the framework on the CORE Programme.
It was the first visit of a Chairman-in-Office to Belarus in six years.
Ending a two-day visit to Minsk, during which he was received by President Alexander Lukashenko and met Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Vadim Popov, and representatives of NGOs, political parties and of the opposition.
Minister Passy expressed the hope that forthcoming parliamentary elections in Belarus would be free and fair and be conducted in line with OSCE standards and commitments.
He also reiterated his full support for the work of the OSCE Office in Minsk, which is headed by Ambassador Eberhard Heyken.
"We sincerely believe that the visit will stimulate the constructive and open dialogue with Belarus and is a sign of hope for the future. Measurable progress towards democracy and respect for human rights will provide the necessary preconditions for enhanced relations with the international community" the Chairman-in-Office said.
Minister Passy noted that the enlargement of the EU in 2004 had made Belarus a direct neighbour of the EU. Historically and culturally Belarus belongs to Europe and we would like to see it rejoining the rest of the continent in good and close cooperation and shared values.
Recognising some positive development the Chairman-in-Office encouraged the Belarusian authorities to impose a moratorium on death penalty as the next step towards abolition of capital punishment.
The Chairman-in-Office said there was strong international interest in the forthcoming elections in Belarus. "I hope the Belarusian authorities will interpret and implement the Electoral Code in a way that allows for genuinely democratic elections," he said.
He noted that it is important that the invitation to the OSCE s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to observe the elections be issued in good time.
The Chairman-in-Office expressed concern about reports that some opposition leaders were facing harassment and about the closure by the authorities of some NGOs. "I attach great importance to unhindered and legitimate activities by NGOs in key OSCE areas such as democratic elections, institution-building and freedom of the media."
Minister Passy said he had asked the OSCE Office in Minsk to continue reporting on developments concerning freedom of the media in Belarus. "Freedom of the media is key to the development of a society based on the rule of law and independent media are vital for the health of a democratic society," he said.
Cases of disappearances of a number of people were causing concern in the international community and should be thoroughly investigated, the Chairman-in-Office said. "Only through such an investigation can responsibility be assigned, justice done and this matter be closed," he added.
Minister Passy welcomed greater co-operation between the OSCE and Belarus in the politico-military dimension and said the recent successful OSCE Assessment Mission on Small Arms and Light Weapons should provide a good basis for follow-up activities in this field. The Chairman-in-Office discussed a possible international assistance for the destruction of stockpiles and landmines.
Minister Passy paid serious attention to difficulties related to overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl tragedy in Belarus. The OSCE/OOM will continue to offer support through project implementation in the framework on the CORE Programme.