Belarus Headlines

April 20 — Belarus Headlines May 2 May 2

Chernobyl Information Evening in Brussels Inside this issue

On April 27, the Office for a De- The discussion that took place af- mocratic Belarus in Brussels, in ter the movies’ screening was deal- Chernobyl information eve- cooperation with Hanse-Office ing with various aspects of the ning in Brussels ...... 1 (Germany), organized an infor- Chernobyl problem and the cur- mation evening dedicated to the rent situation in Belarus in general. 29% of industrial enterprises 21st anniversary of the Chernobyl Special attention was paid to how operated at loss, , , , , , , , , 2 authoritarian and totalitarian re- gimes deal with the situations like Belarus to lose most pre- the given one. cious ...... 2

Guests of the evening had a chance Contaminated farmland is to see some pictures from the used in agriculture . . . . 3 Chernobyl area (Gomel region contaminated areas in Belarus) Belarus interested in sin- kindly provided by a freelance pho- gle market...... 3 tographer and a journalist Jacky disaster. Organizers of the event pre- Negotiations with Azer- sented a report on the conse- baijan ...... 3 quences of the nuclear catastro- phe and the current policy of the Belarusian government towards Criminal action against the liquidators and the popula- one more young activist 4 tion of the contaminated areas. You can find a full version of the Milinkevich visits polluted area ...... 4 report on our web-site: www.democraticbelarus.eu (our Delorme. Some of his works can Reporters without bor- current activities). also be found on our web-site. ders statement ...... 5 The evening attendees also had

US warns about sanc- The discussion and the exhibit tions...... 5 presentation were followed by a slide-show on the Chernobyl March in Minsk on April 26, 2007, New foreign policy . . . . 5 which is a yearly opposition rally. Visit to China ...... 5

Chernobyl rally ...... 6 27.04.2007 chance to see two documentary Regional conferences. . . . 6 films on Belarus—“Once Upon a Time” (2006, 10 min) and “As Is Their Wont” (2006, 20 min) Commission o. in Minsk . 7 Office for a Democratic Belarus (director Galina Adamovich).

EU won’t trade sanctions 8

PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 2 Belarus Headlines

Economics

More than 29 % of Industrial Enterprises Operated at Loss in First Two Months, Official Statistics Say

The share of unprofitable industrial enterprises in Bela- mical industry, and 25 rus shrank by 2.9 percentage points year-on-year in percent in the iron and January and February 2007 to 29.3 percent of the total steel industry. number, according to the Ministry of Statistics and The industrial sector's Analysis. profitability rate was 11.8 As many as 629 enterprises operated at a loss in the percent compared with first two months and their losses reportedly totalled 15.7 percent in January 125.1 billion rubels. and February 2006, Food industry enterprises showed the poorest per- whereas the profitability formance. Their net losses amounted to 27.6 billion of sales was 8.8 percent rubels, the ministry said. Next came fuel industry com- compared with 12.2 per- panies with net losses of 26.7 billion rubels, machine- cent in the first two months of 2006. Тhe highest profitability building and metal working enterprises with total net rates were reported in oil production (52 percent), the petro- losses of 23.1 billion rubels, light industry enterprises chemical industry (34.4 percent), the chemical industry (23.7 with 19.3 billion rubels and forestry, woodworking and percent), the medical equipment industry (18.5 percent) and the paper industry enterprises with 13.4 billion rubels. printing industry (14.5 percent). The share of enterprises operating at a loss accounted The microbiological and fishing industries ended February with a for 52.8 percent in the fuel industry, 40.3 percent in negative profitability of 8.8 and 4.5 percent, respectively. the construction materials industry, 35 percent in the

light industry, 29.3 percent in the forestry, woodwork- ing and paper industries, 26.7 percent in the metal 20/04/2007 working and machine-building chemical and petroche- Source: BelaPAN

Gazprom BOD will deliberate on “having an interest in Beltrans- Belarus to Lose Most Precious gaz” at April 25 meeting, the news service of Russia’s gas mo- nopoly announced past Friday. The decision to set up a venture based on Beltransgaz, where Gazprom will buy out 50 percent plus a stock, was one of the

core provisions of agreement on gas sales to Belarus in 2007. Gazprom agreed to the price of $100 per a thousand cu meters instead of the initially requested $200 per a thousand cu meters once Belarus undertook to set up a venture based on Beltrans-

gaz assets prior to June 1, 2007.

But the parties have failed so far to come to terms about the deal provisions. Gazprom yielded to the H1 price for Belarus in amount of $55 per a thousand cu meters instead of $100 per a thousand cu meters, i.e. it will derive just $1.155 billion from delivering 21 billion cu meters to the neighbor in 2007. The re- mainder of $0.945 billion will be settled via the loan granted by Russia is ready to lend up to $1.5 billion to Belarus Russia’s Finance Ministry to Belarus. but claims as security the stocks of its state-run gas Belarus, however, is dragging out the venture’s creation, blaming transport enterprise, Beltransgaz, in an attempt to the delay on official circumlocution and the lack of time to agree speed up creation of Gazprom-Beltransgaz venture. on the deal by Alexander Lukashenko. But Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko will hardly yield to this requirement – the emergence of such venture will bring the country’s main gas pipe- 23/04/2007 lines under control of Russia’s gas monopoly. Source: Kommersant

PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 3 Belarus Headlines

Economics

Contaminated Farmland Used by over 600 Agricultural Enterprises in Belarus

Farmland contaminated by the nu- Chernobyl-hit farmland, he said. clear fallout from the Chernobyl ac- Milk with excessive cesium levels is cident is used by more than 600 agri- produced by some households, not cultural enterprises in Belarus, Mi- farms, and does not end up in stores kalay Tsybulka, deputy head of the but is turned into radiation-free food- emergency management ministry's stuffs at dairy plants, Mr. Tsybulka Chernobyl relief department, told stressed. reporters in Minsk on April 24. The official acknowledged that farms in According to the official, crops are the worst-hit Brahin, Khoyniki and grown and farm animals graze on a Narowlya districts had problem grow- one-million-hectare area contami- ing grain with low strontium levels. To Twenty-one percent of Belarus' terri- nated by cesium-137. An area of solve the problem, the government has 200,000 hectares that was contami- tory is contaminated by the Chernobyl ordered the construction of a distillery fallout at present. nated by strontium-90 also is used as in the Brahin district. All grain grown in farmland. Farms apply extra amounts the area will be used for alcohol pro- 24/04/2007 of phosphorous and potash fertilizers duction, he stressed. Source: BelaPAN to grow cleaner produce on the

Belarus Interested in Formation of a Single Energy Alexander Lukashenko to Hold Ne- gotiations with President of Azer- Market of Europe baijan Today

Belarus speaks in favour of formation and Leonid Shenets articulated the Belarusian President Alexander Luka- of the single energy market of Europe Belarusian stance on the issues on shenko will conduct negotiations with which would allow for interests of improvement of transport and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to- producing, consuming and transiting energy policy within the zone of day. countries. Such a standpoint was the UN Economic Commission for The Presidents are expected to discuss voiced by the Belarusian delegation in Europe. prospects of the bilateral cooperation in Geneva at the jubilee session of the During the session the Belarusian various spheres, as well as opportunities UN Economic Commission for delegation conducted bilateral Europe, BelTA learnt in the perma- to boost the bilateral trade. meetings with UN Deputy Secre- Intergovernmental and interdepartmental nent mission of Belarus to the United tary General – Executive Secretary Nations and other international or- agreements will be signed as well in Baku, of the UN Economic Commission including an agreement on labour activi- ganizations in Geneva. Founded in for Europe Marek Belka, Executive 1947, the UN Economic Commission ties and social security of people tempo- Director of the International En- rary working in the two countries, agree- for Europe marks its 60th anniversary ergy Agency Claude Mandil, Secre- this year. ments on cooperation in the areas of tary General of the Energy Charter quarantine and plant protection, veteri- The Belarusian delegation includes Secretariat Andre Mernier, repre- nary, state property management and Minister of Transport and Communi- sentatives of foreign countries. The privatization, standardization, metrology; cations Vladimir Sosnovskiy, Deputy negotiations focused on joint pro- BelTA learnt in the presidential press Energy Minister Leonid Shenets, rep- jects and measures to boost coop- service. resentatives of the permanent mission eration. to the UN. The trade turnover with Azerbaijan in 2006 grew by 24% as against 2005 to The Belarusian side drew attention to $37.2 million, with the Belarusian exports the special interest of Belarus in a and imports up 22.9% and 39.4% respec- multilateral dialogue on diversification tively. The foreign trade surplus was at of suppliers and types of energy and 28/04/2007 to issues on energy and transport the level of $31.7 million. cooperation. Vladimir Sosnovsky Source: BelTA 02/05/2007 Source:BelTA

PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 4 Belarus Headlines Politics

Criminal Action Filed against One More Reporters Without Borders: Opposition activist arrested Activist of “Young Front” for article posted online

Young Front activist from Baranavichy Yaraslau Hryshchenya has become the 7th member of the Young Front against whom a criminal action had Reporters Without Borders or change of the constitutional been filed for participation in an unregistered or- today condemned the arrest of system of the Republic of Bela- ganization. writer and political activist An- rus, or for accomplishment of Criminal cases against Anastasiya Palazhanka, Al- drei Kilmau on 3 April on a crimes against the state, public yaksei Yanusheuski, Barys Haretski and Zmitser charge of "inciting the regime`s appeals for violent seizure of Fedaruk were sent to the court of Savetski district overthrow" in an article posted power or change of the consti- of Minsk. A case had been brought up against Aleh on the Internet in which he was tutional system of the Republic Korban. The Young Front leader Zmitser Dashke- very critical of President Luka- of Belarus, or betrayal to state, vich serves the sentence in Shklou colony. shenko and looked at options or accomplishment of terrorist for changing the political system act or sabotage, or distribution 20/04/2007 in Belarus. The organisation is of materials, which contain such Source: Charter‘97 also concerned about a parlia- appeals realized with mass me- mentary committee`s bill that dia usage." could require all online publica- Kilmau faces up to five years Milinkevich visits Chernobyl-hit tions to register. imprison. He has had several Brahin, Khoyniki districts While acknowledging that some spells in prison in the past in- of Kilmau`s comments were cluding a year and a half in 2005- Former presiden- extreme, Reporters Without 2006 for organising a demon- tial candidate Al- Borders stresses its opposition stration against the government. yaksandr Milinke- to any use of imprisonment as a The Belarusian press freedom vich on Tuesday punishment for the expression group BAJ held a news confer- visited the Brahin of opinions or for press of- ence on 12 April to issue a and Khoyniki dis- fences. warning about the parliamentary tricts, areas af- committee`s proposed law on fected worst in "This is the first time that an Information, Information Tech- Belarus by the opponent of the Belarusian gov- nology and the Protection of Chernobyl nuclear ernment has been arrested for Information, which proposes accident. an article posted online," the creating a system for registering press freedom organisation said. The opposition all media, including online publi- "The charge of `inciting the re- cations. It has not yet been politician intended to visit three pre-school insti- gime`s overthrow` is being used tutions for children to donate sporting equipment. made clear whether registration to silence a dissident. Kilmau`s will be obligatory or just recom- However, he managed to visit only one kindergar- arrest highlights the almost total ten in the village of Barysawshchyna in the mended. But such a law is very control exercised by the gov- disturbing in a country such as Khoyniki district, being barred from the other ernment over information in two. Belarus, which is on the Report- Belarus." ers Without Borders list of "13 "When we arrived at a kindergarten in Khoyniki it The organisation added: "We Internet Enemies." surprisingly turned out that it was closed for quar- also fear that making websites antine. We not allowed to pass anything for chil- Belarus, however, is dragging register with the authorities will out the venture’s creation, dren," local opposition activist Leanid Sudalenka increase the pressure on inde- told. "A similar thing happened in Brahin." blaming the delay on official cir- pendent online public publica- cumlocution and the lack of While in Brahin, Mr. Milinkevich laid flowers at the tions, including blogs, and will time to agree on the deal by monument to Chernobyl cleanup worker Vasil encourage self-censorship." Alexander Lukashenko. Ihnatsenka and visited a local museum. Kilmau has been charged under In the evening, he met with opposition activists in criminal code article 361 for the Homyel. essay he posted on the website 20/04/2007 of the Union for a Civic Party Source: Reporters without 24/04/2007 on 25 January. Article 361 pun- Borders Source: Milinkevich.org ishes any “appeal for subversion

PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 5 Belarus Headlines

Politics

U.S. Warns of More Sanctions on Belarus politics

Belarusian government must take upon the government. I hope they concrete steps to avoid a further de- won't be necessary." terioration in U.S.-Belarusian rela-

tions. Last year, the United States and the European Union slapped travel After talks with diplomats, govern- sanctions on President Alexander ment officials and opposition leaders, Lukashenko, who has ruled the Kramer called for the "releasing of all former Soviet republic with an political prisoners, and I mean all po- iron fist for more than a decade, litical prisoners, and dropping charges and other top government offi- A top U.S. diplomat on Wednesday against others." cials. warned of new sanctions against Bel-

arus if the Belarusian authorities re- fuse to release political prisoners. "In absence of those steps I fear that David Kramer, U.S. Deputy Assistant relations could deteriorate, “he told 25/04/2007 Secretary of State, told reporters the reporters. “We have additional steps Source: The Associated Press

Belarus Announces New Foreign Policy Secret Visit of Defence Minister to China

Belarusian Minsk’s traditionally close relations On April 25 ended a three-day President with Moscow have cooled since Russia visit of the Belarusian Defense Alexander raised energy prices earlier this year . Minister Leanid Maltsau to China. Luka- Details of the visit and talks are shenko Alexander Lukashenko said his coun- try needs to expand its cooperation not revealed by agreement with said in an the Chinese side. annual with other countries to preserve its address on independence. Earlier, the press-service of the Belarusian Defence Ministry in- Tuesday formed that “during the visit ne- that his country needs a “multi- “Maintaining our country's independ- faceted” foreign policy. Mr. Luka- gotiations with Chinese defense ence and stable development is possi- minister on mutually interesting shenko added that Belarus will sup- ble only by pursuing a dynamic, multi- issues are to take place”. port strong ties with the East and the faceted foreign policy,” the president West alike. told the legislature. “Belarus is in- The Belarusian delegation which accompanied l. Maltsau during his volved actively in international trade and bilateral relations with many coun- trip, included his Assistant Secre- Alexander Lukashenko opened his tries, and that has a direct impact on taries Ivan Dyrman Alyaksandr annual address to the Belarusian peo- the condition of our domestic markets Balihatau. ple and the National Assembly by and the social and economic spheres.” offending condolences to Russia over

the death of the first Russian presi- Mr. Lukashenko said Belarus plans to As the agency has found out, on dent Boris Yeltsin. seek alternative energy supplies from April 27-May 1 an official visit of Venezuela, Iran, and Azerbaijan. He L. Maltsau to Qatar is planned. This information has not been The Belarusian president under- also said Belarus wants to develop commented by Belarusian military scored that Russia continues to be stronger ties with India, China, one of Belarus’ “most important pri- Ukraine and Kazakhstan. ministry. orities”. But he criticized what he called “openly unfriendly actions” 25/04/2007 26/04/2007 from Moscow which have “dealt a painful blow to our relations”. Source: kommersant.com Source: BelaPAN

PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 6 Belarus Headlines

Politics Up to 3,000 Opposition Supporters March in Minsk on 21st Anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster

A crowd estimated by reporters at sition leaders as a political Cherno- up to 3,000 people walked some two byl. miles in a march staged by the oppo- Participants included prominent op- sition along central Minsk streets on position leaders such as Vintsuk April 26 on the occasion of the 21st Vyachorka, chairman of the Belaru- anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear sian Popular Front; Anatol Lya- accident. bedzka, chairman of the United Civic Participants, mostly youth, gathered Party; and Syarhey Kalyakin, leader of on the square in front of the Na- the Belarusian Party of Communists. tional Academy of Sciences at 6 p.m., Although initially present, former been allowed to be held there and displaying signs "No to Second Cher- presidential candidate Alyaksandr suggested walking to Peoples' Friend- nobyl!" "Only the Dead don't Fear Milinkevich, chairman of the opposi- ship Park near remote Bangalore Radiation!" and "Hands Off Cherno- tion coalition's Political Council, did Square, the place where a rally had byl Benefits!" as well as numerous not join the march. "It was a firm been sanctioned. Foreign diplomats, European Union flags and Belarus' stance of Alyaksandr Milinkevich not including ambassadors of Britain, Ger- historically national white-red-white to march to Bangalore Square," his many, Poland, and the United States flags, currently a symbol of opposi- spokesman, Pavel Mazheyka, said. were present. tion to Alyaksandr Lukashenka's gov- The marchers passed by the Banga- ernment. As Alyaksey Yanukevich, deputy chair- lore Square to reach the nearby man of the Belarusian Popular Front, A police vehicle uninterruptedly Chernobyl Chapel where they hon- told BelaPan, the police seized the warned the crowd through a loud- oured the memory of the Chernobyl organizers' sound-amplifying equip- victims by 21 beats of a bell. speaker system that no rally had ment. After standing there for more than half an hour, with no speeches A clash with riot police occurred made, the crowd headed along the after a crowd of some 100 young route previously designated by the people waving white-red-white flags city government, chanting "Long Live set to march further after the cere- Belarus!" "We Believe, We Can, We'll mony. Up to 20 people were report- Overcome!" and "Join Us!" edly arrested but were soon released The march, which had been allowed after their fingerprints had been by the Minsk city government, was taken. supposed to be in mourning for the Chernobyl victims but turned out to be a demonstration against Alyaksandr 27/04/2007 Lukashenka's rule described by oppo- Source: BelaPAN

Opposition Starts Regional Conferences as Part of Preparations for the Congress

Opposition groups on April 19 started holding regional UDF a ballot form for secret votes at the regional confer- conferences of delegates to the Second Congress of Pro- ences was adopted. The ballot contains five questions, in- democratic Forces preliminarily scheduled for May 26 and cluding a question about the status of the Political Council's 27. chairperson and co-chairpersons, the formation of the Po- According to the organizing committee for the Congress, litical Council and its board, and the functions and powers such conferences are to be held on April 29 in the Minsk of the board. The organizing committee for the Congress and Homyel regions, on May 4 in the city of Minsk, on May will sum up the results of the votes. The agenda of the 6 in the Hrodna region, on May 12 in the Brest region, and Congress will be drawn up in accordance with the results on May 13 in the Mahilyow and Vitsyebsk regions. At a of the votes at the regional conferences. meeting held in Minsk on April 23, the Political council of 30/04/2007 Source: BelaPAN

PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com Page 7 Belarus Headlines

EU and Belarus

Belarus to Allow EU Commission Office in Minsk

spokesman of the Belarusian In a parliament speech held on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry. Lukashenko remained true to himself, say- EU officials in November 2006 ing Belarus "will not compromise on its offered Belarusian President principles...or enter into any new agree- Aleksander Lukashenko a sub- ments against Belarusian national inter- stantial increase in assistance ests." programmes in exchange for However, giving the EU permission to Belarusian efforts to promote open a representational office in Minsk democracy. marks a distinct step away from the hard Lukashenko at that time re- line taken by Lukashenko against Western Belarus' authoritarian government on jected the offer as he consid- governments in recent years, diplomats in Wednesday reversed a long-held position, ered it useless to Belarus. Minsk said. allowing a key branch of the European During his eleven-year reign Lukashenko began overtures to Western Union to open an office in the country. of the country, he repeatedly nations shortly after in January 2007, the Belarus had for two years ignored the EU attacked foreign country's Kremlin had ended most subsidies to fuel Commission's request to set up a repre- diplomatic legations claiming exported to Belarus and had announced it sentation in the capital of the former So- they were trying to under- would no longer give Belarusian exports viet republic. The European Commission mine his government. state assistance in Russian markets. is the executive body, and one of the In 1998, Lukashenko notori- Benefits Lukashenko can expect if he three major governing branches of the ously evicted hundreds of opens up his country towards the EU in- European Union. Western diplomats from their clude a loosening of visa restrictions on A need for closer relations between the Minsk residences, using the Belarusian citizens visiting the EU, and a EU and Belarus as well as possible assis- pretext of building mainte- reduction of excise barriers to Belarusian tance, provided by Europe to the former nance and completely ignoring products sold in EU markets. Soviet republic, were the reasons which the fact that they were foreign territory under international led to that decision, said Andrei Popov, 25/04/2007 law. Source: Interfax

EU will not Trade Sanctions for Embassy in Belarus

EU diplomats have made clear to Belarus added, on the prospects of nomic and political situation in the country that its decision to let the European Com- the EU relaxing a travel ban and manage about €5 million a year's worth mission open an office in Minsk will not help on 35 Belarus officials, includ- of European Commission-funded projects. the country duck trade or diplomatic sanc- ing its leader, Aleksander "You can talk to civil society much better if tions, amid a crude pro-EU charm offensive Lukashenko. you are there on the ground," a commis- by the isolated dictatorship. The remarks come after Bel- sion spokeswoman explained. "We told them - do not expect GSP in ex- arus last week agreed to start Lukashenko on Friday told press the EU change, it's a totally separate issue," one EU negotiations on the new embassy move "is an act of goodwill on our diplomat told EUobserver on Friday (27 commission office, over one part...in turn, we expect the Europeans to April), referring to EU plans to expel Minsk year after Brussels put in a take appropriate measures," Russian news- from its Generalised System of Preferences formal request in 2005. If wire Ria Novosti reported. (GSP) on trade on 21 June, in a move set to talks go smoothly, the Minsk Delicate talks ahead cost Belarus €400 million a year. delegation could open in late Belarusian diplomats declined to speculate "It [the commission office] is a good step. 2007 or early 2008 and host between 20 to 40 EU offi- if the GSP move in June could set back the But they should not take it as a huge break- embassy talks. "I could not predict the pace through. If they started to release political cials. prisoners, yes, that would be a big step," he The EU outpost would pro- of the negotiations," one Belarus official

PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 8 Belarus Headlines

EU and Belarus

EU will not Trade Sanctions for Embassy in Belarus

today, despite Minsk's PR push peaceful protestors on the country's inde- to relax EU sanctions ever since pendence day. Russia spiked Belarus' oil and In the meantime, young pro-democracy gas rents in January in a long- campaigners keep getting thrown in and standing spat over pipeline own- out of jail; senior dissidents continue to ership and potential future state face years behind bars and questions over union. several cases of vanished persons under Every few weeks in the past the Lukashenko regime remain unan- three months Lukashenko has swered. made statements saying the time "What we are really interested in is find- has come to improve relations ing [other] partners to talk to in the es- with Brussels. His last speech, told EUobserver. "We expect to con- tablishment," another EU diplomat told to the Belarusian parliament on EUobserver. "You know, Minsk is not tinue our dialogue and to normalise rela- 24 April, talked about being tions further in future." "ready to be an equal partner, a controlled by 5,000 Lukashenkos." The negotiations will centre around a responsible partner" for the EU. so-called "accord de siege," which is to Lukashenko not a credible stipulate how many staff the commission partner can send and what kind of diplomatic But his actions make it hard to immunity they will enjoy. The commis- take the 52-year old, ice sion's agreements with third countries hockey-loving dictator seriously: are usually modelled on the UN's 1961 on 26 April his police beat up Vienna Convention on diplomatic rela- peaceful protestors on the anni- tions. versary of the Chernobyl disas- 27/04/2007 EU-Belarus relations are far from normal ter; on 25 March police beat up Source: EUobserver.com

and Belarus. ary 2006 and the most recent energy dis- We have reaffirmed the central pute between Russia and Belarus in Janu- role of energy in EU's relations ary 2007. In this regard the EU should with Russia and Ukraine as well intensify its energy cooperation with its as in its policy towards Belarus neighbours in order to enhance in par- and underlined a vital need for a ticular the security of energy supplies to DELEGATION FOR RELATIONS WITH common European energy pol- the European market. Harmonized energy BELARUS icy. policies with those neighbours are to be DELEGATION TO THE EU-RUSSIA The external common energy considered and promoted <…> PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION policy should take into account As for Belarus, the EU should take note of COMMITTEE the political and economic inter- the indications from the Belarusian gov- DELEGATION TO THE EU-UKRAINE ests of all the Member States ernment about its willingness to engage in PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION and should aim to reduce EU's an energy dialogue, following the energy COMMITTEE dependence on fossil fuels from crisis between Belarus and Russia earlier a few big suppliers and to diver- this year. However, the EU should not (briefly) sify the sources of energy. The compromise on its values and should re- Strasbourg, 24 April 2007. Today we recent plans of the gas export- new the dialogue with Belarus only under held a joint meeting of our three delega- ing countries to create a "gas clear conditions, as laid out in the EC tions to address the strategically impor- Opec" make the necessity of a Non-Paper on Belarus of November tant issue of energy security and to- joint European approach even 2006, which include release of all political gether with Mr Andris PIEBALGS, EU more urgent. prisoners, assurance of free media, inde- Commissioner on Energy, to assess the pendence of the judiciary and respect for developments in the EU energy relations It is also essential to avert in the democratic values and for the basic rights future similar situations as the with the major energy supplier Russia of the Belarusian people. and the main transit states of Ukraine Russia-Ukraine gas crisis in Janu-

PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com