Ulad Vialichka: Gunnar Wiegand has arrived with an intention to listen to all parties
11.02.2012
During Gunnar Wiegand’s meetings with representatives of the Belarusan authorities, the question about guarantees of release of the political prisoners has not been discussed. However, the tone of the conversation with Belarusan officials testified that some positive shifts, including in this direction, are possible.
On February 8th, the EU representative talked with representatives of Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and on February 9th, he had meetings with representatives of Belarus’ civil society; the chairperson of the International Consortium EuroBelarus, Ulad Vialichka, took part in one of them.
“The key question of this meeting can be formulated as follows: how to move the Belarusan-European relations from the zero point where they are right now,” says Ulad Vialichka. “The important positive feature of the meeting is that Gunnar Wiegand has arrived in Belarus not with a ready plan, but, more likely, with an intention to listen to various parties.”
The meeting lasted for about two hours and was quite representative. In the one room, there were practically all Belarusan opposition and a big group of leaders of civil society.
“This conversation allows us to draw a conclusion that the approach aimed at a dialogue has no alternative,” the chairperson of EuroBelarus continues. “The problem is that today's Belarusan-European relations do not make it possible to start this dialogue right now. Therefore, there is a topical question of not only a "road map" for these relations, about which we have been talking not the first year, but also the question of a sui generis preliminary "road map", thanks to which the basic one will become possible.
The European Commission has an intention to get the question off the ground, under certain conditions - to start the process of informal consultations with representatives of the Belarusan authorities. And it can already happen during the following months. Therefore, Belarus’ civil society and political opposition need not slumber it away, but prepare more specific proposals concerning what actions should be undertaken. If it is done in time and qualitatively, the process of revival of the Belarusan-European relations will have a chance.”
Various Internet resources wrote that ostensibly Gunnar Wiegand said about a possible fast release of the political prisoners.
“Gunnar Wiegand has been asked why his visit has taken place right now and whether there are any signals from the Belarusan authorities that the political prisoners have a prospect,” Ulad Vialichka specifies. “The EU representative has answered that during his meetings with representatives of the Belarusan authorities the question about guarantees of release of the political prisoners has not been discussed. However, the tone of the conversation with Belarusan officials testified that some positive shifts, including in this direction, are possible. Such a diplomatic answer, which can be interpreted differently. Though, it would be desirable very much to interpret it in the spirit of hope that at least some of the political prisoners will be freed.”
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