Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov, who took part in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, made statements on major issues related to Belarus and Syria
23 March 2012 News
Regarding the additional sanctions imposed on Minsk, Minister Mladenov said that it was an unwelcome and sad moment in EU-Belarus relations, the result entirely of unfulfilled commitments by President Lukashenko. However, Minister Mladenov told Bulgarian journalists, EU foreign ministers agreed that it was useful to start discussing visa facilitation for Belarusian citizens. According to Nickolay Mladenov, the EU needs to have a clear vision of the outcome of its policy towards Belarus, and requirements should be directed not only to the release of prisoners, but also to open dialogue between the Belarusian authorities and the opposition. With a view to the prospect of elections, the EU will insist that they be conducted in conditions of transparency, with the OSCE and the EU able to engage with their own observers.
In connection with Syria, Nickolay Mladenov focused on joint efforts by the international community towards a political transition that includes all opposition groups. In this regard, he emphasised the importance of the upcoming April 1 meeting in Istanbul of the "Friends of Syria" group. Mladenov expressed support for the ongoing mission of UN Special Envoy Kofi Annan, along with expectations of a rapid result.
At an informal meeting, the EU foreign ministers will discuss with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu the major issues and the role that Turkey is playing there.