”We can no longer accept that the authoritarian regime of Belarus would still take the advantages of being part of the Eastern Partnership which is designed to promote the Eastern neighbours of the European Union, while it still acts as a brutal dictatorship. The response of the Belarusian authorities on the demonstrations in the centre of Minsk on the Election Day is unacceptable and must be followed by a proper response from the European Union. Under these circumstances there is no room for Belarus in the Eastern Partnership and all of its components,” said Gunnar Hökmark MEP, the Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for the Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood Policy.
”Therefore it is time now to convene the Parliamentary Assembly for the Eastern Partnership but without Belarussian participation. We shall do our outmost to help our partners who strive for democracy and the rule of law and to bring them closer to the European Union,” said Gunnar Hökmark MEP.