Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Friday, 4 December 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 December 1998. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Thursday, 10 December 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with Belarus.

Answer: Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with Belarus. [63134] Ms Quin: Ministerial contacts with Belarus were suspended in 1997 by HMG and EU Partners following concerns about a constitutional referendum which failed to meet democratic norms, human rights abuses and lack of press freedom. EU member states have also withdrawn their Ambassadors from Minsk in response to the Belarusian Government's effective exclusion of certain Ambassadors from their residences. HMG are keen not to isolate Belarus. We continue to support the OSCE's Advisory and Monitoring Group's efforts to promote democracy in the country.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 63134; 322 c283W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Human rights EU common foreign and security policy Foreign policy Foreign relations Belarus