A Liberalism Seminar with Stefan Melnik for three political youth organizations

Our Project Work in the Ukraine and Belarus (Subregion Ukraine and Belarus)

This sub-region has been managed by the project office in Kiev since the beginning of 2007. Thus the Foundation has taken part in the political opening of the Ukraine since the Orange Revolution. The difficult process of democratization has become a key feature for the most important former Soviet country apart from Russia itself. Should the Ukraine succeed in developing a successful democracy and a market economy, while keeping neighbouring Russia at a distance without losing it as a partner, it would become an example for all of Eastern Europe.

 

The contradictions and difficulties in this country, in the light of the economic crisis, are enormous; a situation in which the fundamental political foundations must undertake their most fundamental functions. Fostering institutional responsibility, a strengthening market economy, raising awareness about the EU and NATO, reinforcing the inner cohesion in Ukraine between the different parts of the country, giving guidance and upgrading democracy within the parties, mediation in building the foundations for a citizen-centred approach by local government - these are the key priorities for the Liberty Foundation's activities.

 

The project partners in Ukraine are political parties, primarily from the "Orange" camp, their youth organizations, NGOs, governmental bodies and other key opinion and decision makers.

The audience at the 11th Minsk Forum The EU held fast to their new course towards rapprochement with Belarus: since October 2008, the EU sanctions were temporarily abrogated until March 2009. On March 16, 2009, the EU foreign ministers decided to continue with the suspension for another nine months. This means that President Alexander Lukashenko and about 30 of his closest colleagues are allowed to enter the EU countries. By this action, the prospect of a rapprochement between Belarus and the EU could be nurtured.

Sanctions were indeed formally extended by the foreign ministers for one year, but the visa ban for most regime members is still suspended. The entry ban remains for only five people, those directly associated with the disappearance of human rights activists, including Interior Minister Vladimir Naumov and the Chair of the Belarusian Election Commission, Lidiya Yermoshina. Yermoshina is considered responsible for the results of the September 2008 Parliamentary elections, strongly criticized by the OSCE, when not even one opposition candidate managed to win a mandate. In nine months, the relationship will be "closely examined", and if there are "further positive developments", then the sanctions could be lifted.

The Eastern Partnership between the EU and six neighbouring countries (Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia), whose status will be decided upon in May during an EU summit in Prague, kindles hope for increased cooperation between the EU and Belarus. What will be offered by the EU is increased partnership, without any prospect of speedy accession.
 

Bazhana Prospect, Kiev It is undisputed that there is a rapprochement between Belarus and the European Union. Time will show how workable this is in fact. It is encouraging that two dissident newspapers have been allowed to resume publishing, but this is not nearly enough. Rather, the recent charges against opposition leaders, the arrests of demonstrators and the arbitrary administration of justice are testament to the still insufficient understanding of rights and democracy by the leaders in Minsk.

The wish of the Foundation is to promote liberal and democratic practices in Belarus. Practical cooperation with a few selected NGOs and political representatives will contribute to the strengthening of the democratic forces in Belarus. Certainly, the possibilities of the Foundation to take action in Belarus depend heavily on the progress made by the leaders in Minsk towards a respect for human rights and the rule of law.