The European Union is not going to review its sanctions against Belarus until the country holds the presidential election on Oct. 11, says Gernot Erler, the German government's coordinator for cooperation with Russia, Central Asia and the Eastern Partnership, according to the Belarusian media.
A political dialogue will be possible in the event of a favorable assessment of the election, he said.
The EU is due to consider whether to extend or suspend visa sanctions against Belarusian officials on Oct. 30, he said.
Erler also stressed that the release from prison of six opposition activists, including former presidential candidate Mikola Statkevich, opened an opportunity for a reset of the relationship between Europe and Belarus. He added that he would like this move to continue. The EU sees the Oct. 11 election as a decisive event, a litmus test, which could open doors in Belarus’ relations both with the EU and with Germany, he said.
It was reported that in 2014 the EU Council extended the anti-Belarusian sanctions until Oct. 31, 2015.
On Aug. 22 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko granted pardon and decided to release Statkevich and a number of opposition activists.
