Economist Yaraslaw Ramanchuk, the opposition United Civic Party (UCP)’s presidential hopeful, has left for Poland to hold talks with senior officials. The program of Mr. Ramanchuk’s stay is impregnated with events, UCP Chairman Anatol Lyabedzka told BelaPAN.
"Today Ramanchuk will meet with Polish Senate Marshal Bogdan Borusewicz, hold an hour and a half news conference for Polish media companies and meet with representatives of the business community and experts," Mr. Lyabedzka said.
On October 12, Mr. Ramanchuk is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and the chairman of the Polish parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Andrzej Halicki.
"A foreign policy council has recently been established at the UCP," Mr. Lyabedzka said. "We have defined one question regarding our western neighbor. It is whether Poland will bring hopes or disappointment. During his visit, Ramanchuk is expected to receive an answer. He will try to convince Polish politicians that Belarus currently stands good chances of changes. Things will not end on December 19, the main voting day [in Belarus’ presidential campaign]," he said. "And efforts should be made not only inside the country but also outside it to bring changes."
He suggested that Poland would be able to contribute more to democratic processes in Belarus after January 1, 2011 when it is scheduled to assume the presidency of the European Union.
Mr. Ramanchuk will put forward the party’s proposals for measures that Poland could take to advance Belarus’ democratization and sanctions that should be imposed on Belarusian officials, Mr. Lyabedzka added.
