The presidential elections in Belarus have not been conducted according the standards of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), nor could international observers from the OSCE and the Council of Europe participate in the election observation. The current situation in Belarus shows that the formally announced initial results of the presidential elections do not correspond to the true choices of the electorate.
I call on the Belarusian authorities to refrain from using disproportionate force against the peaceful protesters, and to immediately release the arrested demonstrators. Dialogue is the best way to promote the development of society and increase its well-being by discussing the necessary changes. I call on the OSCE and other competent international organisations to engage in a peaceful settlement of the difficult situation.
I encourage all parties to sit down at the negotiating table to resolve their disagreement. I support the desire of the Belarusian people to live in an independent and democratic country by exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly. Only respect for fundamental democratic rights and civil liberties will make further development of the EU-Belarus relations possible.
Latvia and Belarus enjoy good neighbourly relations, and it is important for us that Belarus is a stable, sovereign, and economically strong country.
Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Presidential Elections in Belarus
Statement by President Egils Levits on the Presidential Elections in Belarus
Sandris Sabajevs,
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Phone: 67082865, mob.: 22087726
E-mail: Sandris.Sabajevs@mk.gov.lv