This recommendation is a contribution to the review of EU policy towards Belarus, which has had unfortunate consequences in the past. It also feeds into the agenda of the Eastern Partnership to be held in Vilnius in November 2013. The S&D rapporteur successfully steered through an innovative approach preserving the EU’s 'red lines' on democracy and human rights, while making a number of constructive proposals to allow closer engagement with both Belarusian civil society and, on practical matters, with the authorities.
The S&D Group believes in engagement and dialogue with Belarus, but the release of political prisoners remains a necessary condition for the improvement of EU-Belarus relations. At the same time, a European path should be promoted for Belarus and the S&D Group therefore supports visa facilitation for Belarusian citizens as a positive way forward.