Javier Solana, the European Union’s high representative for the common foreign and security policy, has invited Belarusian Foreign Minister Syarhey Martynaw to attend a meeting of EU foreign ministers that is to take place in Luxembourg on October 13, AFP reported with reference to Dr. Solana's spokeswoman Cristina Gallach.

According to her, the EU foreign policy chief spoke over the phone with Mr. Martynaw on Friday morning.

Experts view the invitation as the first step toward rapprochement between the EU and the Belarusian government.

Earlier reports had it that the EU might review the restrictive measures against Belarus’ officials and take steps toward a “gradual re-engagement” with Belarus if the OSCE gave a positive assessment of Belarus’ September parliamentary elections.

However, the invitation comes after the OSCE observation mission concluded that the elections fell short of democratic standards despite some minor improvements.