The Council of the European Union has extended sanctions for a group of high ranking Belarusians.

Simultaneously with extension of the sanctions, which ban Belarusian officials from entering the territory of the united Europe, the European Union extends the moratorium on their applying to 36 persons. The moratorium is not applied to five persons: Commander of Special Response Group Dmitry Pavluchenka, two former Interior Ministers Yury Sivakou and Uladzimir Navumau, a former Prosecutor General Viktar Sheiman and the CEC chair Lidziya Yarmoshyna, BelaPAN informs.

As is stated in the resolution, the EU 'is not able to lift the restrictive measures in place against certain officials of Belarus and therefore decides to extend them until October 31, 2011 because of human-rights concerns, ministers said in a join statement. The EU first introduced the travel ban in 2007 in response to human rights violations by Lukashenka’s regime.

The EU is open to develop relations with Belarus, which is depend on the progress in democracy development, including respect to human rights and the rule of law. Macro financial assistance to Belarus by the EU is not excluded provided some conditions are met by the country. The EU is to continue discussing the reform plan for Belarus, which had been worked out by the European Commission in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Besides, macro financial assistance of the EU to Belarus is not excluded in case the country meets certain conditions.

However the Council of the European Union expresses concern over the situation in Belarus in the sphere of democracy and human rights. Deep regret is expressed over absence of progress in Belarus in a number of issues including further amendment of the Electoral Code, respect to the freedom of speech, mass media, meetings and associations.

The document urges the Belarusian authorities to hold the presidential election in keeping with the standards of the international law.

Translation: Charter`97