Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 7 July (BelTA) – We need to bring Belarus back to the Council of Europe, Thierry Mariani, member of the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the French National Assembly, Deputy Chairman of the France-Belarus Friendship Group, member of the French Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, told reporters on 7 July, BelTA has learned.

Thierry Mariani noted that it has not been decided yet who will make part of the PACE observer mission that will monitor the parliamentary elections in Belarus. He believes it is important who will lead the PACE delegation. “PACE President Pedro Agramunt visited Belarus not long ago. I know that improving the relations with Belarus is among his goals,” the French MP noted. Thierry Mariani recalled that some two years ago he participated in a conference on capital punishment in Minsk. The MP emphasized that the Council of Europe and Belarus should reach a consensus on this issue, keeping in mind that the decision to retain the death penalty was made by the Belarusian people via a referendum.

Besides, he emphasized the important role of Belarus and the Belarusian head of state in the effort to settle the Ukraine crisis. “This shows that Europe needs Belarus,” Thierry Mariani stressed.