Print:
Adjust font size: - +

May 31, 2006

Council Of Europe Says Russia Essential For Belarus Dialogue

The EU has imposed travel sanctions and frozen the European assets of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka (file photo) (RFE/RL)

May 31, 2006 -- A top Council of Europe (COE) official says the organization needs Russia's support in its efforts to resume dialogue with Belarus.

Rene van der Linden, the head of the COE's Parliamentary Assembly, made the comment in Tallinn, Estonia, today in an interview with the Associated Press.


He said there is no solution possible for Belarus without Russia.


Belarus has faced international isolation since its authoritarian leader President Alyaksandr Lukashenka was reelected to a third term in March polls, which were condemned as fraudulent by the opposition and Western countries.


The former Soviet nation has been slapped with European Union and U.S. sanctions. Lukashenka and other key government figures also face the seizure of their assets and a travel ban.

(AP)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty © 2009 RFE/RL, Inc. All Rights Reserved.