Radoslaw Sikorski: Europe-Belarus ties dependent on Lukashenko's policySeptember 29, 2011 - 17:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Relations between Europe and Belarus will directly depend on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's policy toward the opposition, Polish Foreign Minister said.As Radoslaw Sikorski stated at Warsaw-hosted Eastern Partnership summit, “ongoing repressions render strengthening ties with EU and financial aid to Belarus impossible.” “Poland will be the fist country to offer help to Belarus as soon as the country's authorities learn some respect for its citizens,” Sikorski stressed. Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, in turn, noted that “Europe will assist Belarus on the way to democracy, unable to allow proliferation of dictatorship in the center of Europe.” At the invitation of the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries will meet in Warsaw on September 29 and 30. President Van Rompuy will chair the meeting and together with the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso will represent the EU. The European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton, Commissioner in charge of Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, Stefan Fule, and the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, will also attend. The EU member states will also be represented at the highest level. The six partner countries will be represented by the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and Moldovan Prime Minister Vladimir Filat and the Ambassador of Belarus in Warsaw. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |