Updated at 13:53,23-12-2024

Polish Envoy: Lukashenka unwelcome at EaP summit

Belsat, following BelaPAN

According to Leszek Szerepka, Ambassador of Poland to Belarus, the European Union is sending unambiguous signals to Minsk concerning Belarus' representatives at the oncoming summit in Vilnius.

"I think that the Belarusian side can read this signal well," he said. "Remember who represented Belarus at the summit in Prague. Our relations were much better then," he told reporters. It was deputy Prime Minister Uladzimir Siamashka and Siarhei Martynau, the then Foreign Minister, who represented our country at the EaP summint in Prague in 2009.

"The level of representation depends on the level of relations between Belarus and the European Union," he said. "The time has not yet come for representation at the highest level." At the same time, it is up to Belarus to take a final decision on persons to participate in the summit, Mr. Szerepka pointed out.

If Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who is travel banned by the EU, decided to appear at the summit, the EU "will think", Mr Szerepka answered a journalist's question.

According to the diplomat, despite "constant promises" to release political prisoners Minsk failed to meet the main condition set by the bloc.

Belarus has not yet notified the EU who will represent the country at the summit while the country received an invitation to participate in the EaP summit in Vilnius in early October.