Written question asked by Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative) on Monday, 9 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 January 2006. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 16 January 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Belarus

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage a fair presidential election in Belarus in March.

Answer: The Government continue to raise the issue of free and fair elections with the Belarusian authorities, both bilaterally and together with EU partners. At November's General Affairs External Relations Council meeting in Brussels, EU partners called for the Belarusian Government to issue an early invitation to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights electoral monitoring mission, and stated the Council's willingness to take appropriate restrictive measures in the event of a failure to uphold international standards. A further discussion on Belarus will take place in January's Council meeting.

Secondary information