Written question asked by Robert Goodwill (Conservative) on Wednesday, 8 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 October 2008. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Friday, 17 October 2008 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Belarus: State Visits

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any Ministers or officials plan to meet the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus when he visits the UK in November.

Answer: At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 13 October, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to suspend for six months the travel ban against a number of Belarusian figures, including President Lukashenko, and the ban on senior-level political contacts.We are under no illusions that the situation on democracy and human rights remains poor. Wider sanctions were renewed for a further 12 months, and if respect for democracy and human rights does not improve, or worsens, the EU will reimpose the travel ban.The decision was taken because we believe the time is right to re-engage with Belarus, and in recognition of the important step that Belarus has taken in releasing its last remaining political prisoners. Engagement at senior levels will give its leadership the opportunity to hear our message directly. The visit by the Belarusian Prime Minister in November would give us an opportunity to do this, and we are considering appropriate meetings during the course of the visit.

Secondary information